Pit bull owner yearning for his lost puppies
Pitbulls prime targets for illegal breeders or possible fighting rings
Loved like family, man’s best friend is often coveted by jealous eyes.
Missing, lost or stolen dogs are among the most common posts on social media. A positive outcome can often be a lottery as some dogs are happily reunited with their owners, while others can sadly disappear into the ether. Few breeds of dog attract more attention from social media users, criminals and residents alike as the infamous pit bull.
Banele Simelani reached out to the dog-loving social media community in late April after his two pit bulls went missing from his Lindhaven home. Foxy and Spice disappeared on 26 April and since then Banele has gone on daily walks through the fields of the suburb calling the names of his beloved dogs. An owner of three other pit bulls, all rescues, he has let his animals lead him through the pathways in the hope they can pick up a scent.
As many will surmise, his leashed hounds always drag him to the perimeter of the Princess informal settlement. Fearful that his pit bulls are now the captives of criminals or combatants in a dog-fighting circus, he is torn on how to save Foxy and Spice. Unarmed and alone, Banele would face certain severe harm if he attempted to confront any thieves in the settlement.
Private security companies have often come to the rescue of desperate residents, and Banele is hoping he to could get some assistance too. Striking early and acting on accurate information is vital to getting dogs home safely, as noted by Yolande Groenewald of EC Security, “Being in rescue and working in the security industry, we do our utmost best to stop these syndicates. We have people in these areas that will notify us if we need any info about stolen pit bulls or fighting rings. We then involve the NSPCA.”
Owner of two pit bulls herself and a private rescuer working with pit bulls since 2015, Yolande also lists Kagiso, Munsieville, Davidsonville and Florida as dog-fighting hotspots. “Police do assist but I think they need to be made aware of how big these fighting rings really are, and how many dogs do get stolen. Owners need to have their pit bulls sterilised and chipped, and they need to keep them at the back of the property away from thieves.”
Roodepoort/ Krugersdorp SPCA Manager, Mandy Cattanach, agrees that more can be done by authorities. “SPCA inspectors compile the docket with all the evidence needed, and unfortunately police and prosecutors still do not take animal cruelty seriously. Dog fighting is done in secret and not easy to track at all. We do get the little street fights which are done on the spur of the moment, but we battle to catch them as the suspects and their dogs run in 101 different directions,” Mandy said.
Forever optimistic, Banele has not given up hope that another miracle can come out of Princess. “One women did contact me on Facebook saying she saw the dogs nearby but since then she has vanished,” he said.
Dogs have shown time and again that they possess admirable resilience and determination, leaving the lingering dream that Banele will one day see Foxy and Spice again.
