By CECILY ASSON Thursday, January 10 2008

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A PENSIONER is now dead following a vicious attack by pot hound dogs in Point Fortin on Saturday in which his penis was almost severed. Investigations however are yet to determine if Michael Charles, 66, of Maharaj Avenue, Point Fortin died as a result of dog bites he received about the body.

Charles, a grandfather of four, died on Monday at the San Fernando General Hospital, two days after he was warded for severe injuries to his penis, heels, back and leg. Charles allegedly entered the open yard of a village parlour to purchase cigarettes early on Saturday morning when the dogs reportedly turned on him. A police report stated that at about 5.30 am Saturday, Charles went to the parlour to buy cigarettes. He was attacked and while trying to escape, he ran to the back of the building where he was attacked by another dog. At the time, Seeta Maharaj had not yet opened her parlour.

The report further stated that Maharaj was awakened by barking dogs and looked out to see the dogs attacking Charles.

Charles’s son Uristar, 23, was notified and an ambulance was called to take Charles to the Point Fortin Area Hospital (PFAH). He was transferred to the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH).

Charles lived with his common-law wife Jennifer Dickson, 49, and his four children and grandchildren close to the parlour. Yesterday, relatives were still trying to come to terms with his death.

“The black short pants he had on was pulled down and he was bleeding from his penis, his heel was bleeding badly too. His back and legs were swollen and all he kept saying was that the dog bite him,” Dickson said. The family said they had problems getting him to the nearby district health facility as the taxis refused to take him.

She added: We had to call the ambulance and it took some time to come. He lost plenty blood.”

Relatives said they have not heard from the parlour owner who is also the owner of the dogs.

“It is a public place yet the dogs are never tied. We don’t want this to happen to anyone again,” Dickson said.

However Maharaj distanced herself from the attack.

She said she was not yet open for business at the time. She said one of the dogs, named “Angel”, was friendly and accustomed to running around the open yard without attacking her customers. Charles’ body was taken to the Forensic Science Centre, St James where a post-mortem was expected to be performed yesterday. PC Gupta is investigating the matter.