Banning of pit bulls won’t work, owners must be held liable - federation
Following another dog attack that's left a toddler dead, the Pit Bull Federation of South Africa says banning the breed will not work.
A 15-month-old boy was mauled by a neighbour's pit bull on a farm in Gonubie near East London on Wednesday.
On Sunday, a three-year-old boy also died after being attacked by a neighbour's pit bull in Henneman in the Free State.
It happened just days after another eight-year-old boy in that province was also mauled to death by a neighbour's dog.
The federation's Lins Rautenbach says the problem isn't with the dogs and they can't defend themselves in a court of law.
"However, as human beings, we are tasked with enforcing the laws and an owner who is legally responsible for what their dog does can and this needs to start happening.
"Another very dangerous narrative that has been put out there is that it is too late to enforce the already existing laws. This is not true and it is dangerous. The public needs to know that they have rights and it has to be reported to the SAPS and the SAPS has to open cases."
The attacks have resulted in an influx of pit bulls being surrendered to the SPCA while others have taken matters into their own hands.
Rautenbach has called for calm.
"The SPCA has raised their hands to assist owners who are afraid of their dogs, owners who can't cope with their dogs and they need to be commended for this. The public needs to reach out if they need to surrender a dog.
"However, if you own a dog, you need to understand that you are legally liable for everything your dog does. The does make this very clear and if your dog attacks somebody, you are a criminal. The law says you are a criminal and you need to be treated like a criminal."
