NSPCA Calls for More By-Laws and Better Control of Pit Bulls, Mzansi Welcomes Suggestion

• The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has called for proper control and care of pit bulls to prevent attacks
• NSPCA spokesperson Douglas Wolhuter said reclassifying pit bulls as wild animals is not a proper solution after recent attacks
• Another member of the NSPCA said owners need to take responsibility for their dogs to prevent attacks

JOHANNESBURG - The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) believes that proper control and care of pit bulls is a viable solution to the recent attacks throughout the country.

This comes amid calls for the powerful breed to be reclassified as wild animals rather than pets. The council believes the proposed reclassification would not solve the problem.

NSPCA spokesperson Douglas Wolhuter told News24 that the is a lack of capacity to care for animals living in the wild. He said the is an issue regarding competency between NSPCA and conservationists.

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He told the publication that the council could not inspect every wildlife facility, which would pose an issue with the reclassification.

Another member of the NSPCA said owners need to take responsibility for their dogs to prevent attacks.

Senior Inspector and Manager of the Special Investigations Unit of the NSPCA, Nazareth Appalsamy, told eNCA that the council wants stronger regulations and laws for owning powerful breeds. He called for the government to increase the by-laws that are enforced.

Citizens react to the proposal:

@KatzMaz said:

"I think there should be a training program for people who still have puppies for a better future for these dogs and check if owners follow the required lessons for the dog to be welcomed into a community of kids and also adults…train dogs for protection and restraint."

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@MammonToken wrote:

"First point should be that they are not ideal guard dogs. They need big spaces and socialisation. Locking them in a small yard with no human interaction is not going to create a very loving animal. Permits for certain breeds with certification for owners would be best for dogs."

@masango1 commented:

"A pit bull is like a sports or power car, not every Tom D!ck and Harry can drive them."

@Ruan_K1 posted:

"Maybe put a law in place that regulates who is allowed to own one and who isn't."

@BrndonJoubert added:

"Most attacks are not by pit bulls, but cross-bred with pit bull. Banning pit bulls will have no effect, banning any dog with some degree of pit bull parentage would be an impossible task and result in banning thousands of different types of dogs."

Family of Eastern Cape woman mauled by 3 pit bulls speaks out: "She was a beautiful person"

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Briefly News reported that the family of the woman fatally mauled by three pit bulls has spoken out about the death of their loved one.

Nomhle Gaga, the sister of the late Zimkhitha Gaga, said the family wants people to remember Zimkhitha as a beautiful person who lived her life well.

Zimkhitha's passing came suddenly for the Gaga family, and the news of her death shocked loved ones. Nomhle told News24 that in one moment, life was normal, then suddenly, their family member was gone.

Source: Briefly News