KEETMANSHOOP - A Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT) student is recovering in the Katutura State Hospital after he was savagely attacked by dogs at the institute’s Keetmanshoop campus late one recent Saturday night.

Elias Hamukoto, 31, was attacked by two guard dogs after he scaled the campus fence, after he had found the gate locked at 22h00 on 29 September, and the dogs which are set free to patrol during the night chased him and bit him all over the body, causing serious injuries.

Hamukoto in a telephonic interview informed New Era from his hospital bed that he had come from watching a football match at a nearest pub, and decided to jump the fence as he was late and the gate had been locked already and as he was about to reach his dorm room, the dogs pounced.

“When I arrived I was a bit late and the gate was already locked, so I jumped the fence and dogs chased me, but luckily they were only two and one was biting me while I held onto one in its neck, I would be dead if they were three,” he narrated his ordeal.

He said he fought the dogs for about five minutes, while he screamed for help, and was eventually heard and helped by some students who informed the NIMT officials. He was taken to the Keetmanshoop State Hospital, and later transferred to Katutura hospital due to the severity of his injuries.

“I was bitten all over, my legs, my arms, my face, the whole body, it is painful, but I thank God I am alive,” he noted.
NIMT Keetmanshoop campus Principal Eugene Bingham confirmed the incident, saying the student jumped the fence and was attacked by dogs, adding that it is a pity that students take such chances while there are signs all over the campus and they are well informed of the guard dogs’ presence on campus during their inductions.

“We have dogs for security purposes, we have had a lot of incidents of people jumping the fence in the past, we put up such measures and we have signs everywhere, but unfortunately he jumped and the dogs bit him, but he is recovering well and will soon be on his way back to continue with his studies,” he said.