Editor – I refer to the article in your August 25 edition about the Pit Bull attack on a pet dog in a Ladysmith road.
According to the Pit Bull’s owner, it is “very playful and plays with three cats and… all of the pets stay together without any problems.” Oh, so that’s all right then?
The issue is not whether the dog is a sweetheart at home, but whether it is a danger to the public.
I had much the same response from the owner of a Rottweiler that managed to escape the owner’s front yard and killed our Spaniel which was being walked by my husband on a leash on the pavement outside. We were told, “He’s such a sweet dog, he has never done this before.” This was of little consolation to my husband, who was devastated by the slaughter of our companion dog.
Pit Bull Terriers and Rottweilers are bred to be killers. The story of “It never happened before” does not wash.
Every other day, you hear of a Pit Bull or Rottweiler involved in killing other dogs – or worse. They are not “sweet”. These breeds should be strictly controlled in the same way that crocodiles and poisonous snakes are controlled.
Owners should be obliged under penalty of law to control these animals by keeping them locked away from gates opening onto public roads at all times.
An annual tax of R10,000 on each Pit Bull or Rottweiler is to be encouraged. Spot fines of R10,000 are called for if such a dog is spotted on the street without being on a leash under the control of a competent person. By competent person, this should not be a child or a frail elderly person, but someone who can prove that they know how to control their dog and are physically and mentally capable.
Regular surprise visits to premises should be carried out for a fee, payable by the owner, to ensure that animals are safely confined and cannot escape into the street.
These are not nice dogs and negligent ownership should not be encouraged.
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