By: Natasha Archary
The community of Gatesfield, Cape Town took matters into their own hands after 3 pit bulls attacked a 3-year old child.
All three dogs were stoned, stabbed and burnt to death by a mob of angry residents. The child sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital for treatment.
This is the fourth pit bull attack on a child in two months, with mounting alarm calling for a ban on the animals in South Africa.
According to the SPCA who responded to the scene on Sunday, 20 November, the dogs were found still burning on arrival.
Although the team from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA worked quickly to extinguish the flames, the dogs succumbed to their injuries.
It has been reported that the community used various objects to stone, stab and hit the animals before setting them alight.
In a separate incident on Sunday, two pit bulls attacked and killed a 3-year old in the Free State. The child died from multiple injuries to the face and head.
This follows the death of an 8-year old child in Bloemfontein a week ago, who was mauled to death by his neighbour’s pit bull.
As a result pit bull owners from Bloemfontein and other parts of South Africa have been surrendering their dogs to the SPCA.
The SPCA condemned the attacks on the dogs saying people should not take matters into their own hands as no animal deserves to suffer such a brutal death.
“We urge the public to contact the SPCA if a dog behaves aggressively or tries to bite someone. We will take the dog immediately.
While the SPCA’s mandate is the prevention of cruelty to animals and promoting good animal care, it is unfortunate that human lives are lost. Not only do people suffer from dog attacks, but other animals are also victims and have been mauled to death too.”
There is currently a petition that supports the banning of the pit bull breed in South Africa which has received close to 100 000 signatures.
