Pit Bull Mauls 8-Year-Old Boy to Death, Sparks “Ban the Breed” Debate on Social Media

• Another pit bull attack has left citizens divided with many calling for the South African government to ban the breed
• An eight-year-old boy was the latest victim and was severely bitten on the neck and chest before he died
• Following the incident, the deputy mayor of the Mangaung Metro called for citizens to surrender their pit bulls

BLOEMFONTEIN - The death of an eight-year-old boy who was mauled by a pit bull sparked a major debate over “ban the breed” calls.

It is believed that the dog escaped its enclosure and jumped into the neighbour’s premises before attacking the child on Saturday, 12 November.

The child's death has left many angered:

@jazzanian9 said:

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“Pit bull owners must face the consequences if a person is killed by their dogs.”

@DCMarobela1 commented:

“These dogs should be wild animals not domestic.”

@Mu_nynamane posted:

“I have a PIT BULL and let me tell you. It’s well-trained and doesn’t even come out when the gate is opened.”

@Zulunothando_ stated:

“This is terribly heartbreaking. He went out so painfully man. At his yard.”

@Riddlemethat14 wrote:

“It’s a product of the people it grows up amongst. Pits, Rottweilers, German shepherds, Dobermans etc are intelligent and will do as trained. The problem is people who have no idea how to raise these breeds and insist on keeping them for security. It’s not the breeds that are the problem.”

@Gift_molatudi added:

“Charge the owner with murder.”

Mangaung Metro deputy mayor calls for pit bull ban

The deputy mayor of the Mangaung Metro in Bloemfontein visited the boy’s family and has called on citizens to surrender their pit bulls.

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According to SABC News, Mapaseka Mothibi-Nkoane believes the breed of dogs is a danger to the community. She described the killing as a tragedy and believes pit bulls should not be kept in communities.

Police spokesperson Lt-Col Thabo Covane told TimesLIVE that the child was playing alone, and the dog severely bit him on the neck and chest. The child was declared dead at the scene.

An inquest docket is being investigated following the incident. A police officer allegedly shot the dog following the boy’s killing.

Pit bull owners start their own petition to protect their beloved pets, SA Is torn

Briefly News also reported At least 38 people have signed a counter online petition to fight against banning pit bulls in the country. The dog breed has grabbed headlines following the recent attacks and killings of young children.

Lee-Ann van Staden started the Do Not Ban Pit Bulls petition and mentioned that there’s nothing wrong with pit bulls, and dog owners should be blamed on a Live on change.org.

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Mbasa Nyegane, who owns three pit bulls, spoke to News24 and said that crossbreeding is responsible for the attacks on humans.

Source: Briefly News