Multiple deaths as a result of these attacks have been reported and various communities are calling for these dogs to be banned.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has also issued warnings regarding these animals.
The Society for the Prevention for Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has also issued warnings regarding pit bulls.
“At best, we remind the public that prevention is better than cure.
“Before an attack occurs, report dangerous and aggressive animals to your municipality. Report animal cruelty to your local SPCA,” said Keshvi Nair of the NSPCA.
“The SPCA does not turn animals away.
“We act in the best interests of animals and only euthanase when necessary to do so and we don’t rehome aggressive dangerous animals.”
The NSPCA said a possible reason for the rise in attacks was because of how pit bulls were treated and raised.
“A possible explanation may very well be that these animals are exploited and bred indiscriminately.
“The local municipality is mandated to enforce the local bylaws which regulate the keeping of pets, including aggressive animals,” said Nair.
Andrea Mento, of Muddy Paws Mobile Pet Cares, said pit bulls were not a known breed of Kennel Union of SA (Kusa).
“People will die because of people that refuse to see the true nature and capabilities of a pit bull and because they’re not a recognised breed in South Africa as they aren’t Kusa- recognised,” said Mento.
“It’s a major problem as they are backyard bred so there is no control over population or temperament issues.”
The NSPCA added that training alone could not prevent pit bulls from attacking people.
The Pit Bull Federation of SA recently issued a statement saying if a dog killed a person, its owner should be charged with culpable homicide.
As more reports of dog attacks surface, the Sizwe Kupelo Foundation is ready to hand over its petition calling for a ban on pit bulls to agriculture, land reform, and rural development minister Thoko Didiza.
The “Ban the Breed” online petition, requesting the government ban pit bulls as domestic pets in SA, has already garnered about 50,000 signatures.
