Cape Town - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) branches around the country have been inundated with calls by owners surrendering their pit bulls in fear of their pets being targeted in communities, or no longer being comfortable having the breed in their homes.
There have been controversial calls and petitions for the ban of pit bull terriers as domestic pets in South Africa, following a number of incidents where children were either killed or severely injured by the dogs.
On Sunday, a 9-year-old girl was attacked by three pit bulls in Pooke se Bos informal settlement in Athlone. Five people were also injured while attempting to aid the child.
Angry residents allegedly stabbed, stoned and then burnt the dogs.
Cape of Good Hope (CoGH) SPCA said in the same weekend another dog was set alight in the Steenberg area.
CoGH SPCA spokesperson Marisol Gutierrez said after the incident their inspectorate reports showed 37 dogs had been collected in the area since Monday, and they had responded to 65 calls to collect unwanted animals from various areas.
“Our Inspectorate is still investigating the Athlone incident, and will open a case under the Animals Protection Act when more definitive information is on hand. The other incident occurred in Steenberg, and we are also still following up on that.
“The animal’s body was brought back to the SPCA for a post-mortem.
“People are handing in their dogs because of both the debate around pit bulls and because of the brutal death of the three dogs that were stoned and burnt over the weekend.
“We have appealed to dog owners to contact the SPCA if they no longer wish to keep their dogs rather than let them face a cruel end in the community.
“It’s a sad situation indeed. There are no winners here,” said Gutierrez.
The National Council of SPCA’s (NSPCA) said they met with the founder of the Sizwe Kupelo Foundation, which was spearheading the ban campaign, weeks ago when it was launched.
“The NSPCA does not support the call to ban the breed. What we do support is the call for stronger regulations and control with regard to the breeding and keeping of dangerous/aggressive animals.
The safety and protection of the vulnerable is extremely important to us. As a result, SPCAs around South Africa are facing the difficult task of dealing with the aftermath of these tragic attacks,” the organisation said.
“Animals are being poisoned, stabbed, beaten, and set alight in retaliation from angry communities,” the NSPCA’s Keshvi Nair said.
Cape Times