The Pit Bull Association of South Africa has urged owners to take responsibility for their pets, ensuring they are trained properly and sterilised.
A three-year-old child was critically injured in a pit bull attack that occurred on Sunday afternoon in the Bluff.
Garrith Jamieson of ALS Paramedics reported that they received multiple calls about a pitbull attacking a child on Watsonia Road in Bluff, located south of Durban, at approximately 6:30 pm on Sunday.
Upon arrival, paramedics encountered a chaotic scene with members of the public attempting to contain the aggressive dog.
The child's mother carried the three-year-old to the paramedics, revealing that the young boy had suffered multiple serious injuries as a result of the pitbull attack. ALS Paramedics provided on-site stabilization before swiftly transporting the child to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care.
While the motive behind the attack remains unclear, Jamieson stated that the South African Police Service was present at the scene to conduct an investigation into the incident.
Last week, we reported about an elderly Verulam couple who were attacked by pit bulls.
The couple had gone out into their yard to see why the dogs were barking and were attacked by them. They had to be hospitalised and treated for their wounds and have since been discharged.
YOUR eThekwini also reported last week that a growing number of pitbull attacks in South Africa has led to a call for the ownership of this breed of dogs to be banned as domestic pets in the country.
In April 2023, a petition with over 139 000 signatures was submitted to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development ,Thoko Didiza, calling for the ban.
In addition, legal claims arising from attacks by pit bulls has also increased.
South African law holds dog owners responsible for injuries caused by their pets and they may be prosecuted under the Animal Matters Amendment Act.
The Pit Bull Association of South Africa urged owners to take responsibility for their pets ensuring they are trained properly and sterilised. They also advocate against dog fighting and unregistered breeding.