Not all pit bulls are killers.
This is the urgent message being conveyed by many loving pit bull dog owners after two children were killed by dogs of this breed – the first in Vista Park in Bloemfontein on Saturday, 12 November, and another in Hennenman on Sunday.
A memorial service was held for Olebogeng Mosime (8), a Gr. 3 learner of the Roseview Primary School in Bloemfontein, on 17 November. Olebogeng was killed by a neighbour’s pit bull after the dog had escaped from its owner’s yard.
Keketso Innocent Saule (3) was killed by pit bulls in Sekoti-Mpate in Hennenman on the weekend.
According to a police statement, a large group of community members gathered outside the house were Keketso was killed, and the dog was burnt to death by angry community members.
Reinet Meyer, chief inspector of the Bloemfontein SPCA, has confirmed that the dog that was said to have been responsible for Olebogeng’s death was shot on the scene, and two more dogs were removed from the premises by the SPCA.
After a call to action by the SPCA for people who have dogs that may be a danger to the community or family members, more than 40 dogs were collected by the SPCA.
“These are not dogs from loving homes. They were mostly kept in cages or on chains,” she confirmed on Monday.
“You can expect dogs that are kept in small enclosures or on chains to be frustrated. Some of the cages that we removed the dogs from, had been cleaned more that three, four weeks ago.”
Carmen Bester, an owner of pit bulls, says the pit bull community are outraged about what happened.
She and other concerned owners of pit bulls are organising a Pit Bull March on Saturday, 3 December, at College Square, in a plea against animal cruelty and innocent lives that are lost.
“Pit bulls in loving homes like mine are wonderful family dogs. We don’t want good owners to live in fear because of mistreated dogs that attack children.”
She says two owners of pit bulls in Bloemfontein have already suffered, as their dogs were poisoned – one in Uitsig and one in Wilgehof.
“We love our dogs. We want to be the voices of our pitbulls where they are misunderstood.”
Through the event that is scheduled to start at 08:30 at College Square, the pit bull community wants to collect dog food for the dogs now in the care of the SPCA, as well as to raise funds for Olebogeng’s family.
“The loss of life, any life, is tragic – and as a preventative measure, we would like to plead with the public that aggressive animals should be surrendered to the SPCA so that similar incidents do not occur,” Meyer had said after the incident in Vista Park.
She says the 40 dogs are not being kept on the premises of the SPCA, but elsewhere. The animals are being assessed by vets and animal behaviour specialists.
“We would welcome any donations of food for these animals,” she said on Monday.
