- No pit bull can, or will be forceably removed
- Already gangs of people in unmarked vehicles are arriving at homes and demanding the pit bulls
- Calls for strong action against pit bull ownership and the eradication of this dog breed from Matjhabeng
- There are dog fighting rings and syndicates making use of this situation to steal
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No pit bull, or in fact any dog breed, can or will be removed forceably 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 various social media platforms there are calls for strong action against pit bull ownership and the eradication of this dog breed from Matjhabeng.
On one Facebook page called Matjhabeng Street Radio there was a statement that read that as of 22 November the police will be working together with the SPCA in Matjhabeng and “they will be taking pit bulls left right and centre.”
They even provided a telephone number that concerned residents can contact to report pit bull owners.
Tshepo Davids of Sanco Free State, wrote on his Facebook page: “All pit bull owners must voluntarily remove those dogs from the public within 7 days, after 7 days Sanco will be embarking on a street to street campaign to force removal of pit bulls working hand in hand with SPCA, the police and communities. This cannot be tolerated any more – enough is enough.”
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 prosecuted.
Another Facebook posting 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.
The executive Mayor of Matjhabeng, Thanduxolo Khalipa, visited the bereaved family in Phomolong shortly after the incident.
“He has expressed his heartfelt sympathy and has pledged his support to the family in this difficult time. He told the residents that he would make a submission to council for strict by-laws on ownership of pit bulls in all towns of Matjhabeng to ensure safety of our people from this breed of dogs,” says Tshediso Tlali, Matjhabeng Municipality spokesperson.
Tlali says the mayor has made a commitment to help the family with funeral commitments.
Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the Lejweleputswa police, says the police will never take dogs off of people’s property.
“This is not our mandate. It is clear that the rumours circulating are false. We will continue to ensure that we put more boots on the ground to enhance Police visibility during this Festive Season.”
On Sunday (20/11) a three-year-old toddler, Keketso Innocent Saule, was savagely mauled by two pit bulls while he was playing with other children at a house in Sekoti Mpate, Phomolong. He was the child of Malefu Saule (20).
After the gruesome mauling, residents attacked the dogs and killed one with garden spades and stones, and then burned it to death.
Members of Welkom Public Order Policing were summoned to the scene and took the owner of the dogs to a safe place. The other pit bull was taken by the SPCA.
