No pit bull, or in fact any dog breed, can or will be forcibly removed and without the permission of the legal owner, and definitely not by the SPCA or police.
Hysteria and mayhem has erupted surrounding the issue of pit bulls and pit bull ownership in Matjhabeng, following the tragic mauling of a three-year-old child by two pit bulls on Sunday in Phomolong, Hennenman.
Already gangs of people in unmarked vehicles are arriving at homes, especially in Riebeeckstad, demanding the pit bulls be given to them by order of the municipality.
On social media platforms there are calls for action against pit bull ownership and the eradication of this dog breed from Matjhabeng.
Thea Smit, chairlady of the Virginia and Bloemfontein SPCA, is horrified with what transpired in Phomolong, but even more so by the backlash on social media.
“Pit bull owners may voluntarily surrender their dogs, we will never take an animal by force. Dogs must never be given to people who are not wearing an SPCA or police uniform, and who are not travelling in marked vehicles.
“People must be very careful. Do not just hand over your pit bull, or in fact any dog, to just anyone. There are dog fighting rings and syndicates making use of this situation to steal dogs. There are always bad people who take advantage of bad situations to try and score,” says Smit. She says spreading false information is a criminal offence and offenders will be prose-cuted.
Another facebook post which has upset the SPCA is a man from Hennenman offering free poison to residents who are scared of a pit bull in their area.
Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the Lejweleputswa police, says the police will never remove take dogs from off of people’s property.
On Sunday (20/11) a three-year-old toddler, Keketso Innocent Saule, was killed when he was attacked by two pit bulls while he was playing with other children at a house in Phomolong.
Residents attacked one of the dogs with a garden spade and stones, and then burned it to death.
Members of the Welkom Public Order Policing were summoned to the scene and took the owner of the dogs to a safe place.
The owner of the two pit bulls, Lebohang Pali (21), also known as Mampudi,, appeared in the Hennenman Magistrate’s Court. He has been charged under the Animals Amendment Act, the keeping of vicious dogs.
The case against Pali has been postponed till 23 November.
