NSPCA responds to calls to ban pit bulls as pets

With the mounting calls to ban ownership of pit bulls as domestic animals, the NSPCA foresees many power breed owners no longer wanting their dogs.

As a proactive measure, the animal welfare society urges all owners who no longer wish to keep their dogs to take them to their local SPCA, animal welfare shelters or private veterinarian.

This comes after the Sizwe Kupelo Foundation wrote to Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, asking her to impose an immediate ban on the ownership of pit bulls as domestic pets.
It is also calling for the castration of male dogs and the sterilisation of female pit bulls.
The foundation also started an online petition to ban the breed, which has garnered thousands of signatures so far.

The foundation cited several reports of pit bull attacks in the country, including the recently reported incidents where seemingly vicious dogs reportedly mauled young children to death.
“It is without a doubt that SPCAs, which are not funded by the government and most recently excluded from Lotto funding, will now have to bear the brunt and added expense of dealing with even more unwanted animals being surrendered to the SPCA,” said NSPCA’s Keshvi Nair.

Nair stated that the NSPCA stands in solidarity with the Sizwe Kupelo Foundation for the protection of people, especially the vulnerable, who are the most common victims of dog attacks.

“Although the NSPCAs mandate is the prevention of cruelty to animals and promoting good animal care, we also value human lives.
“Recently, there has been widespread media coverage on dog attacks against humans with pit bull terriers becoming the notorious representative of the attacks, although other breeds of dog have also been responsible.”

Nair pointed out that not only do people suffer from dog attacks, but other animals have also been victims of attacks and mauled to death.
“The aggressive animals themselves have also been found subjected to extreme abuse and cruelty in the manner they are kept, trained, and even killed.
“This is an issue where both human and animal lives have been placed in danger by irresponsible people who lack the skills and knowledge required to handle power breeds.”

The NSPCA said at first glance, the Sizwe Kupelo petition may appear to be outrageous, especially to pit bull owners. However, upon careful reflection, the petition advocates for the protection of people and responsible pet ownership.
“The petition calls for all pit bulls to be castrated or sterilized, which would prevent the current rate of uncontrolled breeding. The petition also calls for stronger regulations for keeping pit bulls and other power-breed animals, requiring owners to have permits to keep such animals.”

The animal welfare indicated that dog breeds with the potential to be aggressive and cause harm to other animals and people are easily obtained. These breeds are in the hands of uniformed or irresponsible people, the dogs can become a risk to the people in their communities.

“Too often, pit bulls are acquired by irresponsible people to portray an image of ‘power’ for dog fighting, breeding and or for security purposes.

“These dogs are incited and trained to become human and animal aggressive and very quickly the animal becomes high risk. All too often these dogs live compromised lives in cages or on a chain which typically leads to an increase in aggression and further increases the risk of attack.

“According to Section 10 of the Animals Protection Act no 71 of 1962, Minister Didiza has the authority to promulgate new regulations in terms of the petition put forward by the foundation.
“If you own an aggressive animal, by law, you are compelled to ensure that the animal is kept within the confines of your property and in a manner that meets the needs of the animals in terms of the Animals Protection Act and the five freedoms that animals should have,” explained Nair.
She said this petition should not result in the demonising of pit bulls, but in finding a humane and cohesive way forward to protect the human and animal victims in this issue.
“The SPCA movement remains committed to the protection of all animals against any cruelty and suffering.”

Also Read: Eight-year-old survives brutal pit bull attack