The tranquility of the Saint-Malo neighborhood in Baie-du-Tombeau, Mauritius, has been disrupted for several weeks due to the presence of nine dogs owned by a new French tenant. The dogs have been causing a disturbance, barking continuously from morning till evening, and have been left unattended on the beach, posing a threat to passersby, other animals, and fishermen.
On October 3, the dogs entered the terrace of a German neighbor's property, attacking his dog while he was present and able to intervene. The police were called, and the owner was warned about the consequences of not controlling her animals. However, on October 6, at 6:06 pm, Nathalie de Ricquebourg, 62, was violently attacked by the dogs while filming them to report the incident to authorities.
De Ricquebourg suffered severe injuries and was treated at the Clinique du Nord. The psychological trauma from the attack has left her with anxiety triggered by the dogs' barking. Despite the owner's seeming inability to control the animals, they continued to roam freely, heading towards another neighbor who was walking on the beach with his family, including an eight-month-old baby.
The neighbor had to quickly hand the baby to his wife and escape into the sea to avoid the dogs. Incidents like these have become repetitive, mainly occurring between 5 pm and 10 pm, leaving residents in a state of permanent fear and insecurity. De Ricquebourg emphasized that this is not a simple neighborhood dispute or opposition to pets but a serious public safety issue requiring urgent action.
Residents are demanding that authorities intervene immediately to assess the danger posed by these animals, enforce obligations related to their detention, and ensure beach users' safety. De Ricquebourg has documented evidence, including videos of the October 3 and 6 incidents, photos of her injuries, and medical documents. Other videos show the dogs being aggressive towards neighbors' animals.
The Mauritius Society for Animal Welfare (MSAW) has been informed about the situation, and its director, Tinagaren Govindasami, stated that they will take necessary measures. A police report was filed at the Baie-du-Tombeau station on October 7, and a Form 58 was issued since de Ricquebourg suffered physical assault.
The residents of Baie-du-Tombeau stress that the safety of inhabitants must be a top priority, and it should not take another victim for authorities to act. The situation remains a pressing concern, with residents calling for swift and effective action to restore peace and security in their community.
Key points
- A 62-year-old woman was severely injured in a dog attack in Baie-du-Tombeau, Mauritius.
- Residents demand urgent action from authorities to address the issue of rogue dogs in the area.
- The Mauritius Society for Animal Welfare has been informed and will take necessary measures to address the situation.
