'Something the size of domestic dog' bites man (65) swimming near Mnandi Beach in False Bay

John Maytham speaks to Gregg Oelofse, the City of Cape Town’s Coastal Manager.

Listen below.

"A 65-year-old man was bitten by an animal while swimming and sustained bites to his hands and feet near Mnandi beach in False Bay," read a Facebook post by 'Shark Spotters' on Saturday.

Oelofse also confirms the incident.

"He was in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries and received medical attention from lifesavers on the beach before being transferred to Lentegeur Hospital," said Oelofse. 

Oelofse says after examining the bite, a seal rather than a shark might have bitten the man swimming close to shore, however, this is not completely certain.

"I think after looking very closely at the bite on the gentleman that it was probably a seal bite rather than a shark bite... But we can't say for 100% certain. It could also be a small shark species. But, generally, the kind of bite marks look like a seal bite..."

- Gregg Oelofse, City of Cape Town - Coastal Manager

"The general eyewitness accounts say it was something the size of a domestic dog, but no one saw a seal in the water, so it makes it difficult to know what it was for certain..."

- Gregg Oelofse, City of Cape Town - Coastal Manager

"Whatever it was that bit him, it wasn't a big animal and it isn't something that people should be concerned of or thinking that Great White Sharks are back in our bay."

- Gregg Oelofse, City of Cape Town - Coastal Manager

"People are reminded again that we have rabies-infected seals. So, if you do get bitten by a seal, immediately make sure that you're tested for rabies and put on a prophylactic for rabies."

- Gregg Oelofse, City of Cape Town - Coastal Manager

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.