NATIONAL NEWS - A recent incident where a 10-year-old boy was killed by his family’s pit bulls in Gqeberha has sparked an online petition calling for a ban on keeping pit bulls as pets.
A dog breeder in Springs, Frans Netshivhazwaulu, says attacks by power breeds on people and other animals are used as a tool to demonise these dogs.
Netshivhazwaulu says it is not just a dog issue but also a people issue.
“Power breeds are a little different from other breeds because they are easily provoked. But any dog can be aggressive depending on how you treat it,” he says.
He says that any animal has the potential to be dangerous given the right circumstances.
“Any dog can kill you. If you don’t treat it right, it will turn on you.”
“For example, a German shepherd is a mild-mannered dog, but if you provoke it long enough it could attack.
“If a German shepherd is confined in a small cage, it will be frustrated by these environmental stress factors. When compared to a pit bull that has been running around a yard its whole life, the German shepherd will be more prone to aggression than the pit bull,” Netshivhazwaulu says.
The national office of the SPCA (NSPCA) addressed the petition and its importance with a press release that stated, “Not only do people suffer from dog attacks, but other animals have also been victim and some have been mauled to death.
“The aggressive animals themselves have also been subjected to extreme abuse and cruelty in the way they are kept, trained and even killed.
“This is an issue where both human and animal lives have been placed in danger by irresponsible people who lack the skills and knowledge required to handle power breeds.
“At first glance, the petition may appear outrageous, especially to pit bull owners, however, upon careful reflection, the petition advocates for the protection of people and responsible pet ownership.
“The petition calls for all pit bulls to be castrated/sterilised which would prevent the current rate of uncontrolled breeding.
“The petition also calls for stronger regulations for keeping pit bulls (and other power breed animals), requiring owners to have permits to keep such animals.”
The statement also addresses the concerns surrounding the surrender of dogs, amid fears due to the attention their pets are receiving.
“As the media continues to report on the dangers of owning power breed dogs, the NSPCA foresees several people no longer wanting their dogs.
“The NSPCA urges all owners who no longer wish to keep their dogs to take them to their local SPCA, animal welfare shelter, or private veterinarian.
“It is without a doubt that SPCAs, which are not funded by the government and most recently excluded from LOTTO funding, will now have to bear the brunt and added expense of dealing with even more unwanted animals surrendered to the SPCA.”
Springs SPCA manager Annecia Morton confirms the rise in owners surrendering their pets and cautions pit bull owners as the situation escalates.
“Unfortunately, people are posing as SPCA and police officials, attempting to confiscate people’s animals. Owners need to be careful and more mindful of the situation,” she warns.
