A Newcastle man avoided a grim fate after being forced to fight for his life against a Pitbull on Amiel Road in Amiel Park.
Opening up about the ordeal, Bram Beukes recounted the traumatic incident, which unfolded on Thursday, 31 July 2025.
Beukes explained that he had gone for a walk to a nearby open plot of land, close to the Fort Amiel Museum. “I am an avid history enthusiast, and a few years back, I found a button that is over 100 years old, and came from the British who were posted at the museum when it was still a fort. Over the years, I have found multiple items, from horseshoes, knives, buttons, old army bullets and more at the open piece of land,” he began.
With this in mind, Beukes detailed how at approximately 3 pm on Thursday, he made the short walk from his home on Amiel Road to the open land, which is just metres away.
“I was looking around by some trees and was just about to head home, when I heard something behind me, and as I turned around, the dog was there and he jumped,” said Beukes, adding that this was when his fight for survival began.
The dog had escaped from a neighbour’s yard, and as the owner was entering her property, the dog allegedly managed to slip past her and immediately charged at Beukes.
“I managed to push the dog back as he jumped, but he kept coming and eventually grabbed my one hand and started attacking me. I kept on calling for help and trying to get the dog off me, but the dog’s owner and other people just stood there. I managed to get the dog off me eventually and that is when he grabbed me by my other hand,” Beukes recalled.
As the dog ripped and bit, determined to bring Beukes down, he explained that he could feel the animal attempting to get a better grip with its teeth. “I managed to get the dog into a choke hold, and eventually after I applied the headlock for extensive time, the dog let go, looked at me, and left,” he said.
However, the ordeal was far from over.
Suffering from significant blood loss, Beukes was rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention.
“Looking back at the experience, I still get extremely emotional, as my doctor said he honestly thought I was not going to make it, because my blood pressure dropped so low from the blood loss. I managed to pull through but the pain I experienced was immense, as the medical staff had to stitch my fingers, my hand and even my palms. Also, as with dog attacks, I had to get a rabies vaccination immediately, but the rabies shot had to be given in each of the puncture wounds left by the attack. It was so painful, that at one stage I was praying just to pass out, because even though I was given morphine, the pain was so bad it did not even make a difference for me,” elaborated Beukes.
Following the attack and his subsequent medical treatment, Beukes has since filed a police case against the dog’s owners, as the animal had attacked him outside of his yard and could have resulted in his death. While police investigations are now in full swing to determine the dog’s fate, Beukes is urging people to be cautious and vigilant of dogs when on the streets. “Everyone hears about dog attacks, and everyone thinks it won’t happen to them. I was one of those, but it can happen to you and it happens so fast and people do not realise how strong a dog actually is until it attacks them,” stressed Beukes.
Furthermore, he is also calling on all dog owners to act responsibly with their pets, ensuring they are properly trained.
Alternatively, if the dogs are not trained, owners should keep them in their yards and avoid opening the gate unless they are certain their pets will not escape.
This incident underscores the significant legal obligations of dog owners in South Africa. As explained by legal professionals such as Barter McKellar, South African common law applies a principle known as ‘actio de pauperie’, which holds the owner strictly liable for any resulting damages. This means that a victim does not need to prove negligence on the part of the owner to claim compensation, as long as the animal acted contrary to its nature and the victim was lawfully present at the location of the attack.
While there are a few defences available to owners, such as the victim having provoked the animal or trespassed on the property, the onus is on the owner to prove these factors. In cases such as this, where the dog escaped its premises to attack a person in a public space, the owner is almost always held accountable.
Bram Beukes’s ordeal is a powerful and sobering account that highlights not only his incredible strength and courage in a life-or-death situation but also the profound physical and psychological trauma that follows such an event.
His story is a testament to the fact that while we may think such things happen only to others, vigilance and responsible pet ownership are paramount to ensuring the safety of every person in our community.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Attacks and Legal Responsibility in South Africa
If you’re attacked by a dog, seek immediate medical attention and report the incident to the police. Document your injuries and, if possible, get witness statements. You may also have grounds for a legal claim under actio de pauperie, which allows victims to claim damages from the dog’s owner without needing to prove negligence.
Actio de pauperie is a South African common law principle that holds a dog owner strictly liable for damage caused by their animal. If the dog acted contrary to its nature and the victim was lawfully present, the owner can be held financially responsible — even if they weren’t negligent.
It’s difficult. If a dog escapes its yard and attacks someone in a public space, the owner is typically held liable under actio de pauperie. The only valid defences are if the victim provoked the animal or was trespassing — and the owner must prove these defences.
While not legally mandated to train dogs, owners are expected to take reasonable precautions to prevent harm to others. This includes ensuring secure fencing, supervising the animal when gates are open, and being aware of any aggressive tendencies. Failure to control a dog can lead to both civil and criminal liability.
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3 Responses
That poor man i hope he heals well emotionally and physically what an ordeal owners are neglectful of their pets there are so many pets on the road the owners do not make sure their pets are permanently in their yard j hold the owners responsible
What a horrific experience. Take the dog owners to court for any and all injuries sustained. They are liable for any medical expenses. Add pain and suffering too as the dog owner just stared while the dog was attacking.
I have rottweilers. And I know my duty. I have to keep my dogs under control at all times. I have to make sure they can not get out of the yard as the dogs are unpredictable. People should know as long as a dog has teeth he or she can bite. The calmest dogs can bite. It is a fact.
As per this report: “police investigations are now in full swing to determine the dog’s fate”.
How is it the dog’s fate that is in jeopardy because the owner(s) could not keep the dog in their yard? Dog’s are domesticated wild animals that have a natural instinct to fend for themselves. And don’t go breed blaming; ANY dog can attack!
I honestly am sorry that Mr. Beukes has suffered such a painful and traumatic experience. I just wish that the dog’s owners are brought to account and that the dog lives to see another day.