'He was the life of the family': PMB father of son attacked by pitbull
The father of a three-year-old Pietermaritzburg boy who died after being mauled by a pitbull says his death is a hard pill to swallow.
Christopher van der Merwe was attacked by the dog just outside his Glenwood home on Monday.
He died in hospital on Tuesday morning after spending hours fighting for his life.
Carl Van der Merwe says they are heartbroken by the loss of his only son.
"He was the life in this family. There was never a dull moment with Christopher.
"He would always come running in from the room, saying daddy come see quickly, come see what I did," said Van der Merwe.
READ: KZN Social Development digs into food parcel debacle
"The last words I prayed was Lord. let your will be done and not mine."
"As I stopped praying, the doctors came out and said this child was fighting. We have never seen a fighter or warrior like this and the doctor broke down and cried," he said.
"The nurse that took us to Christopher said, I have never seen a warrior like this, this is a very strong child."
A memorial service will be held tomorrow for the little boy.
Van der Merwe is hoping they will lay him to rest on Saturday, if the ongoing undertakers' strike which is expected to end today - doesn't cause any more delays to their arrangements.
