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Tragedy as grandpa is mauled to death by dogs trained to kill – PHOTOS


A 75-year-old man died after he was mauled by dogs on Monday evening when he went to visit an ailing relative in Kamakwa, Nyeri County.

Francis Mathenge succumbed to multiple bite and claw injuries following a 30-minute ordeal under two vicious German Shepherd dogs belonging to his cousin’s neighbour.

The deceased was supposed to accompany some of his relatives to visit his cousin, Mr Johnson Ndegwa, who had recently undergone surgery.

LEFT BEHIND

One of the German Shepherd dogs that attacked Mr Francis Mathenge.
One of the German Shepherd dogs that attacked Mr Francis Mathenge.

He was, however, left behind and mistakenly ended up in a neighbour’s home, which was being guarded by the dogs.

According to Mr Ndegwa, his cousin had called prior to inquire if his dogs had been put on leash.

“I have a dog myself and he called to ask if it had been locked up because he was at the gate. I confirmed to him that the dog was in its kennel,” said Mr Ndegwa.

Thirty minutes later, Mr Mathenge had not entered the house raising suspicion among relatives who felt something was amiss.

The deceased, who had trouble seeing and hearing, had unknowingly entered the wrong compound where two dogs had been let loose.

The occupants of the home were away at the time of the incident.

“He had taken too long so we decided to check on him. We heard yelling and the dogs were growling,” said Mr Ndegwa.

TEARING MAN APART

Neighbours rushed to the compound only to find the canines viciously tearing the old man apart.

Juma Richard, farmhand, displays pieces of clothes that were left after dogs attacked and killed Francis Mathenge. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI
Juma Richard, farmhand, displays pieces of clothes that were left after dogs attacked and killed Francis Mathenge. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI

All his clothes were tattered and torn off from his body. Efforts to drive away the dogs proved difficult as the dogs kept attacking the man who had lost consciousness.

One of the neighbours, Isaac Kimathi said that it took them up to 30 minutes to drive away and pull away the deceased.

“I have never seen dogs attack a person in such a manner. They were still trying to drag him away as we were rescuing him,” said Mr Kimathi.

At the end of the attack, the aged man had been bitten all over and his private parts had been severed.

However, the killer blow was delivered through multiple bites in his neck that caused him to bleed severely.

He was rushed to the Nyeri County Referral Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The owner of the canines, Maina Gitahi expressed remorse over the ugly turn of events but insisted that he would not get rid of the dogs.

OFFER SECURITY

“I am pained that this a person was killed but I cannot get rid of the dogs because they offer me security,” said Mr Maina.

He noted that he was forced to acquire the highly trained dogs due to multiple robberies and break-ins that have been experienced in the area.

Rikanda Wambui mourns her husband Francis Mathenge. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI
Rikanda Wambui mourns her husband Francis Mathenge. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI

Nyeri Central divisional police boss, Masai Makau, confirming the incident, said that investigations into the matter are underway to establish if the owner of the dogs is culpable.

“We are looking into the matter and we are trying to look into the culpability of the owner. But so far what we know is that he was attacked inside the home and the dogs never left the compound,” said Mr Makau.

He said that legally the owner of the dogs is supposed to control the dogs to ensure they do not leave the compound.