SANCO weighs in on pitbulls debate after Mogwase man mauled to death

RUSTENBURG – The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the North West on Tuesday called for pitbulls to be categorized as wild animals and legislation regarding their domestication including neglect to be tightened. This follows the death of a 39-year-old man who was mauled to death by a pitbull at a Mogwase tavern near Rustenburg.

The civic organization expressed mixed emotions about the Mogwase incident which reportedly occurred in the early hours of Saturday because of circumstances surrounding what could possibly be a break-in as the dog in question was allegedly patrolling the tavern owner’s premises after business closure. SANCO Provincial Chairperson, Paul Sebegoe said that a full probe into the incident is necessary, while commending the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) for euthanizing the dog involved.

“There is seemingly lack of public knowledge regarding pitbulls’ inherent aggressive behavior which is uncontrollable once triggered, hence the escalating incidents of vicious attack involving the breed that have resulted in horrific deaths affecting mostly innocent passersby and children,” stated Sebegoe. He highlighted that public outcries for pitbulls to be removed from communities are informed by fear mostly arising from incidents of animal neglect.

“It is common knowledge that most of these dogs have been used in vicious unregulated dogfights that have resulted in deaths of less aggressive breeds within our communities. There has been less focus on this phenomenon which should have raised red flags but because most have been taking place away from the public glare, they have largely been ignored as a serious public safety threat,” he maintained.

Sebegoe said that charges against negligent dog owners and those pitbulls for racial expression should be immediately instituted in order to send an unequivocal message that, no one will escape accountability. “Communities begin taking the law into their own hands when they get a sense that there are no repercussions,” he cautioned.