A complaint by a frustrated member of the Hout Bay community is subject to a police investigation after he recently fell victim to a “pit bull terroriser”.
Also read: SAVA calls for better regulation to reduce human-pit bull conflict
Speaking to IOL, Fareed Hoosen said that he had reported the matter to the SAPS after he was bitten by a dog that had been responsible for several recent attacks.
“This guy used to sell puppies for a time and we brought a stop to that. Now he has the pit bull, which he uses to intimidate people and to force them to give him money,” Hoosen explained.
“He demands that you give him money and if you don’t he sets the dog on you. We also received information that he was using the pit bull to rob homeless people at night.”
“I had spotted him and told him to move along and as I did he turned around and put the dog on me. I didn’t have my bullet-proof jacket on and the dog bit me on my stomach area.”.
Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg confirmed that an investigation into the incident was ongoing.
“Hout Bay police are investigating an assault to cause grievous bodily harm after a dog was set on a security guard in Victoria Road, Hout Bay on January 1,” Twigg stated.
The incident comes as the National Freedom Party (NFP) calls for stricter regulation, either banning or restricting the keeping of pit bulls as pets in South Africa, in the wake of an increase in the number of recent deaths as a result of pit bull attacks.
MP Ahmed Munzoor Shaik Emam, said that the party wanted to ensure that pit bull attacks came to an end.
“We have a dual challenge. On the one hand, we need to urgently stop the attacks by pit bulls on humans.”
“These attacks are often deadly, and unprovoked.”
“Research indicates that this is largely due to breeders breeding these dogs for aggression.”
“One incentive for breeders to do this is illegal dog fighting. The other challenge is how we should regulate this particular breed, to ensure that there is less incentive to breed for aggression, while owners are required to take complete responsibility for their dog and its actions,” he said.
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