Pit bull ownership has become a controversial topic.
PHOTO: Alfonso Nqunjana/News24
- The SPCA is offering a R5000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the suspects who killed three pit bulls in Gatesville a week ago.
- The girl was mauled by dogs on the field, she was seriously injured.
- Cape Town City Hall said more than 800 dogs had been seized since last July.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA is offering a R5000 reward for information leading to the positive identification, arrest and prosecution of those involved in the fatal attack on three pit bull dogs in Gatesville a week ago.
It is known that residents attacked dogs after they mauled a girl in a local field. The child was seriously injured and was taken to the hospital.
SPCA spokeswoman Marisol Gutierrez said it would be “nonsensical to suggest that our offer of a R5000 reward suggests that we favor pets over people”.
“Cruelty to animals is against the law and our reward offer is directly linked to bringing perpetrators of horrific animal abuse to justice, as required by our mandate. As a movement, we care about animals and people – and we’ve seen time and time again that when situations arise involving animal issues, there are almost always issues that affect people as well,” Gutierrez added.
READ | Three pit bulls beaten, stoned and set on fire after mauling Cape Town girl
According to the SPCA, its mission is to prevent animal cruelty, and for the most part, it is impossible to separate the welfare of animals from the actions of humans.
The organization said it is still investigating the brutal killing of three dogs by the community.
“Many breeds have been in the spotlight for attacks over the years. Let’s also remember that any dog can bite. These dogs (pit bulls) have been thrust into the spotlight because of tragic attacks on children,” Gutierrez said.
“This is a difficult topic. Many of these problems are related to irresponsible breeding and ownership of power breeds. Stricter regulation of power breeds is needed, as well as enforcement of these rules,” she added.
When asked if the SPCA had seen a noticeable increase in the number of pit bulls surrendered to them, she said, “We’ve seen an increase in the number of surrenders of dogs of all breeds, including pit bull-type dogs.”
In a statement, the City of Cape Town said that since July last year, they have seized more than 800 dogs, received more than 200 complaints about dog fighting and that more than 150 reports have been made for attacks on animals and people.
“The city’s animal control unit is in the process of gathering documents related to the attack on the young girl for the prosecutor’s office to decide on the way forward,” said Alderman JP Smith, a member of the city’s safety and security committee.
“We strive to ensure that these events do not happen again [which occurred] earlier this week and so the city is working closely with the SPCA and the Cape Animal Welfare Forum to find solutions and to raise awareness and understanding of animal welfare and the responsibility of dog owners to keep the public safe.
“Statistics from our animal control department show a clear increase in the number of dogs impounded this year, but also show complaints of dog fighting and protocols for investigating attacks on other animals or people. We emphasize once again that the problem lies with the people in whose care these dogs are, Smith added.
Among the provisions of the Animal Protection Act is that any person who overburdens, overburdens, overburdens, ill-treats, neglects, annoys, tortures or maims or cruelly beats, kicks, drives or frightens any animal is subject to the provisions of the Act and any other law, be guilty of an offense and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 40,000 rand and/or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to such imprisonment without a fine.
“We strongly condemn any animal cruelty that is against the law. We encourage people to contact law enforcement if they have a problem with dogs roaming the streets or aggressive animals in public. This is not intended to demonize any breed. This only instills fear and achieves no positive outcome,” the SPCA added.
