Three pit bulls set alight by angry Gatesville community, after attacking a young girl

Three pit bulls were set alight by angry Gatesville residents after the dogs had attacked a young girl on a field, over the weekend.

Supplied/SPCA

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA says this is the second incident of dogs being set alight in one weekend. The child sustained severe injuries and had to be rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

‘’The community took matters into their own hands and attacked the dogs – stoning, stabbing and hitting the animals with various objects before burning them to death.’’

Supplied/SPCA

SPCA Inspector Jeffrey Mfini, who rushed to the scene after the SPCA received the report, found the dogs still burning. Mfini extinguished the fire but all the animals had succumbed to their injuries.

‘’The dogs’ bodies were taken to the SPCA premises in Grassy Park, where post-mortems will be conducted.’’

Supplied/SPCA

The SPCA urged the public not to take matters into their own hands.

“We urge the public to contact the SPCA if a dog behaves aggressively or tries to bite someone. We will take the dog immediately. People must not take matters into their own hands – no animal deserves to endure brutality and suffering,” said the SPCA’s Chief Inspector, Jaco Pieterse.

“It is tragic that a child was harmed and in turn, the animals were brutally attacked. No dog should be roaming the streets. Responsible pet owners ensure their animals are kept within their properties. If your home is not adequately fenced, don’t get a dog,” he added.

Furthermore, the SPCA says it does not support the petition to ban or outlaw pit bulls, but agreed that stronger regulations/legislation with regard to the keeping and breeding of power breed dogs, needs to be implemented.

‘’While the SPCA movement’s mandate is the prevention of cruelty to animals and promoting good animal care, the SPCA also values human lives. Not only do people suffer from dog attacks, but other animals are also victims and have been mauled to death.’’

 ‘’In many instances, the aggressive animals themselves have also been subjected to extreme abuse and cruelty in the manner in which they are kept, trained and even killed. This is an issue where both human and animal lives have been placed in danger by irresponsible people who lack the skills and knowledge required to handle power breeds.’’

The SPCA said compulsory sterilisation and owner permits in order to keep power breeds, would be a step in the right direction.

‘’Compulsory sterilisation, at the cost of the owner, would assist in preventing power-breed puppies from being easily accessible to irresponsible people.’’

‘’Compulsory permitting would assist in being able to hold power-breed owners accountable for their pets,’’ it added.

 

Done By: Mitchum George