Pit bulls terrorise neighbourhood

A growing sense of unease has gripped a typically tranquil neighbourhood as repeated attacks from pit bulls have left residents fearing for their safety and that of their pets.

Several complaints were raised as the dogs in question were involved in multiple incidents, targeting both residents and their dogs. Despite the escalating concerns, the owners seemed unwilling or unable to rein in their pets.

The Roodepoort Northsider was contacted by a resident over social media and expressed her concern and fear for her children’s safety. The resident later shared contact details of the owners whose dogs were victims of this tragic incident.

Memory and her daughter Celine Mavunga were unfortunate victims when Celine was innocently taking a stroll around the area with her dog Bruce. This is not the first dog to be attacked by pit bulls in the area, and it has become a growing concern.

“I was taking Bruce for a walk on our usual route, and as I walked into our street near our gate, that is when the two pit bulls ran towards Bruce and me into our yard. Unfortunately, the gate could not close quickly, and I was pushed against the garage door by the pit bull, which tried to attack me.

“The second pit bull charged towards me, and if it were not for Bruce bravely racing to save me, I would’ve been attacked or worse, bitten. I managed to stand behind the small gate, but my poor dog Bruce was violently attacked by two pit bulls. Seeing that was traumatic and heartbreaking because Bruce was trying to protect me. I felt helpless because there was nothing I could do at that moment to save Bruce,” Celine said.

The son of the pit bull owner attempted to step in and separate the two pit bulls from Bruce, but sadly, he too fell victim to an attack.

According to Memory, a young man who was jogging near the street heard screaming and proceeded to ask what was going on. The young man then bravely jumped in to separate Bruce from the pit bulls and took him to the gate where Celine was standing.

Bruce was rushed to West Rand Emergency Vet Clinic, and it was discovered that he suffered a severe bite on his shoulder and several bite marks on his body, and he was booked into surgery.

The Roodepoort/ Krugersdorp SPCA was contacted after a case was opened at the Honeydew Police Station.

According to Memory, frustration was beaming as a woman who assisted them at SPCA directed them to Rika van Heerden, a manager at the Department of Environmental Health.

“For this matter to be taken seriously, we had to ask our neighbours to put pressure on the SPCA by calling them and giving them the case number because we were being sent back and forth. The SPCA proceeded to tell us that they are unable to act if there is no court order,” Memory added.

To their surprise, an inspector informed them that the owners surrendered themselves and their dogs were taken away. The Northsider contacted the SPCA for comment on the steps taken by the entity.

“The Roodepoort SPCA handles animal cases under the Animal Protection Act No. 71 of 1962. However, incidents involving aggressive dogs, like the two pit bulls attacking people and pets, fall under the Animal Matters Amendment Act (1993), enforced by the South African Police Service.

“Unfortunately, the police were not educated on the difference, leading to the SPCA intervening. The SPCA stepped in, and the owners surrendered the dogs for euthanasia due to their reactivity. Homing dogs, which are very reactive to other animals, is never a good idea, and the SPCA takes responsibility for our adoptees and the pets we adopt into homes,” said SPCA general manager Mandi Cattanach.