The preliminary inquiry (PI) into the manslaughter case against Ronny Totaram, whose dogs allegedly killed a security guard at Ogle in April, opened on Monday at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.
Police Sergeant Burnett gave evidence before Magistrate Yohanseh Cave. Monday marked the fourth calling for the case.
Totaram, a pilot, is charged with the unlawful killing of Charles Roopchand. A pack of dogs attacked Roopchand, a COPS security guard around 6 am on April 16 as he made his way to work at a Cellink site in the Ogle area.
The dogs dragged Roopchand across a trench; ripping his throat and face apart.
Later that same morning two of the dogs attacked Desire London during her morning walk in the area. The woman was treated at the Georgetown hospital and discharged.
A post-mortem examination revealed that Roopchand died from asphyxiation and multiple wounds due to dog bites.
Police arrested Totaram shortly after the attack and captured the nine dogs. Three days later he was released on $100,000 station bail after the Director of Public Prose-cutions advised police that more statements were needed to complete the file before charges could be laid.
Almost one week later Totaram appeared before Magistrate Cave to face manslaughter charges. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was released on $100,000 bail following submissions by his lawyer Khemraj Ramjattan.