Suraya Chantell Pillay endured an excruciating death after she was savagely mauled to death by Pit Bull terriers in the early hours of Saturday, February 6, near a local drug den off Rucklen Place, South Africa. The 30-year-old from Oakbridge sustained deep wounds to her neck, chest and arms and deep lacerations to the bone on both her legs.
The Phoenix Sun made contact with her bereaved family and spoke to her sister, Angel Pillay.
"She was good person and even though she had a drug habit, she would work by doing odd jobs to support it. She was a very generous and kind person."
The deceased had allegedly been an addict for at least seven years and was known to frequent the area where her body was found. According to members of her family, she stopped going there for a few months and only recently returned- and they are not sure why.
Pillay would leave the house in the morning and always returned at night by 9pm and seldom at midnight, but never after. The family are at a loss to understand why she would have stayed out after the curfew that she had kept in recent months.
Witness reports at the scene of the incident have been confusing and conflicted. According to South Africa Police Service (SAPS), a witness called the police after they heard a woman scream and they managed to chase the dogs away. Phoenix communication office said:
"The witnesses claim that they discovered the victim being attacked by several dogs that only left the victim alone after stones were thrown at them. The dogs are currently unidentified and no witnesses have come forward to identify the dogs or the owner."
A witness who claimed to have been present at the scene alleges that the victim was completely naked, except for a brown cloth covering her private area. This fact is extremely significant to her sister who says that Suraya left the house that morning wearing blue jeans and a long sleeved black top- which has not been located.
The family claim to have received mixed versions of what took place on the night their sister died. There are still many unanswered questions and the identity of the dog and the owner is yet to be confirmed. Ms Pillay said,
"We hope that people who know who is responsible will come forward and name the pet owner responsible for this. My sister did not deserve to die this way." Ms Pillay said.
There have been no arrests or charges laid.
Source: PHOENIX SUN
