Deadly pit bull attack – Suspected owner arrested

Marceline Basdeo-Small, the suspected owner of the pit bulls that mauled a man to death and injured two others on Thursday in Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD), has been detained by Police.

According to Commander of D Division (West Demerara), Leslie James, the reported owner of the animal is presently in custody and is assisting with the investigation into the incident.

James earlier confirmed that Basdeo-Small’s brother, who was taken into custody the same day of the attack, has been released.

The identity of the dead man is still unknown, but  Guyana Times understands that he was destitute.

The two men who were also injured are Ramanand Bhikam of Stewartville Housing Scheme, WCD and Wilbert Adams of Cornelia Ida, WCD.

Based on reports, the dead man was found about 06:00h at Lot 190 Para Field, Leonora, with several bite marks about his body.

The Police were summoned and an investigation was launched.

The two injured men were treated at the Leonora Cottage Hospital, but only Bhikam was sent away. They have since given detailed statements to the Police about the attack.

Based on reports, Adams told detectives that he was heading to work when he was attacked by the animals.

He works at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate and it was about 03:00h when the dogs attacked him. After being bitten, he managed to make his way to the hospital which in turn alerted ranks at the Leonora Police Station.

However, as Bhikam was heading home from work, he was also attacked by the dogs that were on the road. Both men claimed they did not see the other man lying in the trench. It was not until Police arrived at the scene that the man’s body was discovered.

Guyana Times was told that the dogs would normally escape from the yard and attack people and other animals. Only recently, they killed several sheep and cows in the area, but it is the first time they actually killed someone.

According to James, in earlier reports, they were looking for the owner of the dogs since she reportedly disappeared following the discovery of the man’s body.