The police of Durbanville has opened an investigation over the death of a man, 66, who was allegedly attacked over the weekends by two Pitbulls that were on the loose. According to the police, the two Pitbulls were running up Hadeda Street when they saw the old man in front of his house. The dogs sprang on him by bitting his feet, face and head which led to his death at the spot.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said a post-mortem would be conducted to determine the cause of death. The dogs were removed by the SPCA. SPCA Cape of Good Hope spokesperson Belinda Abrahams confirmed that the dogs were removed by Law Enforcement and brought to the SPCA for safekeeping until their investigation has been concluded.
She said the organization was awaiting the outcomes of the investigation and instructions from Law Enforcement as the SPCA does not make the decisions regarding the fate of the dogs.
Durbanville community policing forum chairperson Michael Engelbrecht said while it was not easy to comment on the incident, the community had shown their support to the family of the deceased.
“This is not a common occurrence as this is the first incident of this nature we have experienced in the area. This actually sends a message that owners need to take proper precautions with dogs that are generally aggressive in nature. This is a sad and traumatic event and we send our condolences to the family of the victim,” he said.
Abrahams said pit bull ownership required an understanding and acceptance of their genetic make up and an investment in their environment to maintain an equilibrium and avert disasters.
She said each individual dog was born with certain genetic predispositions to behavioural traits, something a pet owner had little control over.
“What we do have control over, but fail to take responsibility for, is the modification of a pet’s environment (via training or management) to prevent, reduce, increase, or eliminate behaviours.
“A responsible breeder knows that aggression starts in puppyhood with the failure to develop tolerance towards children, adults, elderly people, both sexes, various races, able-bodied, disabled, calm or loud individuals etc.
“The impressionable period for pups is from as young as three weeks of age, which means that a great deal of the responsibility for socialisation rests with the breeder,” she said.
She said pit bulls were made dangerous via irresponsible breeding, lack of training, neglect and abuse.
“This is why our on-site animal behaviourist works tirelessly with pit bull admissions to our facility to correct negative behaviours and this is also why our adoptions team ensures that prospective adopters meet a stringent list of criteria before placing a pit bull or any power breed into a home,” she said.