After recent pit bull maulings and the media exposure surrounding this contentious issue, the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has confirmed an influx of surrendered pit bulls across the country.

“Over the past few weeks, there has been an exponential amount of media exposure regarding pit bull terriers attacking humans, especially children. As a result, SPCAs around South Africa are facing the difficult task of dealing with the aftermath of these tragic attacks.

“Pit bulls are being surrendered to SPCAs in large numbers and, in communities where owners have not surrendered their pit bulls, the communities are beginning to take matters into their own hands.

“Animals are being poisoned, stabbed, beaten, and set alight in retaliation from angry communities,” said the NSPCA’s public relations officer, Keshvi Nair, in a press statement.

Mossel Bay Advertiser reports that the situation doesn’t seem to be any different in the Garden Route.

According to the Garden Route SPCA’s senior inspector, Salomé Bruyns, there has definitely been an increase in pit bulls being surrendered to them because their owners are concerned about their aggression.

“We have noted an increase in the number of pit bull-related calls received recently. They range from people wanting to surrender their animals to people complaining that their neighbours have pit bulls and that we should inspect,” said Bruyns.

“We will never refuse to respond to a call where an animal’s welfare is of concern. We therefore urge the public to rather surrender their dogs to us instead of taking matters into their own hands as seen recently with pit bulls being beaten to death, stoned or even torched.

“A lot of these dogs are tied up or caged in informal settlements all over SA. Being confined without mental stimulation and exercise will cause these, and any other dog, to become aggressive.

“On top of that, some of these dogs are trained to be aggressive and to fight. Escaping their confinement could then have tragic consequences,” she said.

Good morning SA! Government urges all dog owners who no longer wish to keep their dogs to take them to their local SPCA, animal welfare shelter, or private veterinarian.#Pitbulls pic.twitter.com/NQKdrLzDHl

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) November 24, 2022

SPCA takes strain

As the number of aggressive dogs surrendered to SPCAs across South Africa increases, so too does the NSPCA’s concern for the effect this will have on SPCAs – especially the smaller societies operating in outlying areas – as well as what will happen in the areas where there are no SPCAs.

“The SPCA does not receive funding from the government. In addition to the vital work that SPCAs are already providing to their communities on limited resources, we are faced with dealing with this issue alone,” said Nair.

“The SPCA movement is taking action at great risk and cost to assist animals and communities. Realistically, the movement does not have the resources to cover the cost of this national campaign without support from other relevant role players in this matter.”

The NSPCA has formally addressed the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, to enquire what their plan and strategy to address this national issue is, given that this is their responsibility.

“There is an urgent need for government intervention with regard to this issue, failing which humans and animals could be harmed at an even greater scale,” added Nair.

Bloemfontein SPCA condemns killings

The Bloemfontein-based SPCA in the Free State condemned the killing of animals after an incident where residents of Hennenman killed one of the two pit bulls that allegedly mauled Keketso Saule (3) to death in Sekoti Mpate, Phomolong, this past Sunday.

Saule’s death follows the killing of Olebogeng Mosime (8), who was allegedly killed by a neighbour’s pit bull the previous weekend.

SPCA’s head inspector in Bloemfontein Reinette Meyer condemned the killings and stated it is not a solution to the recent problems, thus they requested the public to hand over the dogs that may harm society.

Meyer said that people can still own pit bulls in the country as long as they are able to take good care of them because there is no law that prevents them from owning pit bulls at this stage.

“We definitely don’t advocate the killing of animals. There are humane efforts to get rid of animals if you don’t want the animal. That is why we as the SPCA move throughout the country, saying if you don’t want your animal anymore please bring it to us. It is, however, not right to brutally kill any animal. The public can’t take the law into their own hands. So if there is any pit bull that the public doesn’t want anymore, please bring it to your nearest SPCA throughout South Africa, we definitely don’t refuse any animal,” Meyer told Bloemfontein Courant.