‘Heartbroken’ SPCA puts down pit bulls

THE SPCA in Bloemfontein said a decision was taken to put down the pit bulls that were brought in.

In a statement posted on Monday afternoon, the organisation said these dogs had all lived horrible lives.

“The emotional scars were visible in their eyes. They were not living in gardens running free, having naps on couches. They were exposed to the elements of nature, poorly fed and left to breed and inbreed.

“There was no telling how they would eventually react if homed irresponsibly. We would most probably have another tragedy to deal with, and more dogs violently killed.

“The dogs were admitted and taking their history into account, and after consulting with professionals, it was determined that there are fates worse than dignified euthanasia.”

Almost five people in South Africa have been mauled to death by pit bulls recently. Most of the attacks took place in the Eastern Cape.

In the most recent case, a woman in Port Alfred was on her way to work when she was mauled. The head chef died before medical help could arrive. The pit bulls believed to be in the attack were taken to the SPCA.

This week the SPCA said it needed to clarify misconceptions on social media. One is that the SPCA was forcibly taking pit bulls from their owners.

“Not once did we forcibly take any animal from their owners and no pit bull was taken to the Bloemfontein SPCA for boarding or safekeeping.”

The SPCA said that after the recent attack on two children, aged 9 and 3, they knew they had to do something.

“We knew that we had to step up and do whatever we can to assist owners that feared for the lives of their dogs, and to protect the dogs from a violent death. In Hennenman, the SPCA was on scene less than an hour after the little boy was killed.

“We were met by angry residents. They directed their anger at the SPCA and prevented, by force, inspectors from rescuing one of the two dogs that killed the boy.

“We notified SAPS and requested back-up. Unfortunately, not even SAPS were able to allow us entry to retrieve a dog that was no longer a danger to the community.