A 14-year-old boy from Sir Lowry’s Pass remains in critical condition in hospital after being mauled by two Rottweilers while spending time with friends near a dam on a farm in the Helderberg area, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Christiano Jansen was reportedly attacked at Broadlands Manor on Wednesday, 7 October, at about 18:00. His family is at his bedside as he receives treatment at Tygerberg Hospital, while the circumstances surrounding the incident have left both his mother and the dogs’ owner deeply shaken.
The incident has also raised difficult questions about what happened that evening and the responsibilities that come with keeping large dogs on a property.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene
According to the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services, emergency crews from Sir Lowry’s Pass Fire Station were dispatched at about 18:30 after receiving a call about the attack. Spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said the teenager had sustained severe bite wounds and was in a critical condition when rescuers reached him.
‘The male minor’s condition was critical as he suffered severe bite wounds.’
– Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services
The boy was transported by Metro ambulance to a medical facility shortly after 19:00.
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness later confirmed that a patient matching the description had been admitted to Tygerberg Hospital. The department said he was receiving the necessary treatment but could not disclose further information because of patient confidentiality.
Somerset West police reportedly said they had no record of the incident and advised that a case be opened at the nearest police station.
‘I did not expect him to fall victim’
For Christiano’s mother, Emma Jansen, the attack has been a devastating shock. The 41-year-old said she did not know precisely what had happened when news reached her that her son had been injured on the neighbouring farm.
Earlier that day, she had sent him to a shop. He had replied, ‘I’m coming now’, but never returned as expected. Instead, she received a call saying dogs had attacked him. Jansen said her sister, who lives closer to the farm, was among the first people to respond after a suspicion arose that a child had been hurt.
Describing her son as quiet and someone who generally spends much of his time indoors, she said she had never imagined he would experience something so traumatic. The mother of four also spoke of the painful thoughts that followed the news, wondering whether the tragedy might have been avoided had her son simply returned from the shop as expected.
Farm owner describes the chase
Willie van der Westhuizen, the owner of Broadlands Manor and the two dogs, gave a different account of how the confrontation unfolded. He said he had been walking the dogs, both Rottweilers younger than two, across the 36-hectare property. According to him, he usually lets them off their leads once they are away from the stable yard, where they can play and swim in the dam.
Van der Westhuizen said he noticed five or six boys near the water, roughly 80 to 100 metres away. When the group turned and ran, he shouted at them to stop. ‘I shouted, ‘Do not run. Please don’t run,’ he recalled.
He alleged that the dogs reacted to the movement and chased after the boys. He then ran after them, saying the male dog had pinned one of the children down before he managed to pull it away. The female dog also attacked, according to his account, and he struggled to restrain both animals.
Van der Westhuizen said he was exhausted and in shock after the confrontation. He explained that he took the dogs back to the farm to get them away from the scene, rather than leaving out of indifference to the injured child.
He said he later learned from three of the boys that their friend had been bitten and could not move. He contacted the farm manager, who accompanied the group back to the scene as community members and emergency personnel arrived.
Dogs removed from the property
During a subsequent visit to the farm, the City’s Law Enforcement Animal Control Unit was seen leaving the property. The two dogs were reportedly handed over to a kennel after a follow-up inspection found they were no longer a danger to others.
The incident has been distressing for the family and the farm owner, who said he was troubled by rumours circulating in the community suggesting he had encouraged the attack.
‘I am truly sorry for what has happened. This is just a very unfortunate incident.’
– the farm owner.
For Christiano’s loved ones, however, the immediate concern remains his recovery. As he continues receiving medical care, the full circumstances of the attack and any further official action remain matters requiring clarification.
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