No place for killer dogs in society

YET another child, a 3-year-old, was savagely mauled to death by two pit bull terriers in Phomolong in the Free State on Sunday morning.

Last week a boy, also from the Free State, was fatally bitten by a pit bull at his home in Vista Park, near Bloemfontein.

As the public outcry to ban pit bulls gains momentum, the government last week met breeders, its first move in trying to put an end to the vicious attacks that have stunned the nation.

We hope this was not another talk shop – all bark and no bite from our leaders.

The nature vs nature debate has raged on long enough, with more and more lives lost and people maimed in violent dog attacks while the authorities figure out what to about the issue.

We were raised to believe that a dog is man’s best friend.

Dog lovers will tell you that the pets have been known to die trying to save their masters.

They say a dog might even die of grief after his master has died.

Domesticated animals, particularly dogs, provide love, companionship and security for human beings.

Even pit bull owners swear that they make the most lovable pets.

But these are not the only traits this breed is known for. If triggered, mistreated or provoked, it is a merciless killer. Owners who abuse and breed the animals for dog fights play their part in unleashing their natural ferocity.

Alarming statistics reported across the world have shown that dog attacks today represent a health hazard, with prevention strategies not particularly successful.

Most dogs involved in these attacks are quite often known to the victim or even belonged to the person.

A pit bull’s bite is vicious and painful with devastating consequences.

The dogs are known to drag their prey down and then maul them. It will attempt to disable the victim by targeting the limbs; once the victim is down, the animal goes for the throat, neck or cranium, and if the attack continues, death will finally result from asphyxiation, exsanguination (blood loss) or a fractured cranium and its complication.

For a victim, it must be an atrocious and painful death.

Whether the dog or the owner is fault or not, something must be done to stop the needless bloodshed.