Cape Town - A frustrated Hout Bay resident has lodged a complaint with the police about a man, who he says is a “pit bull terroriser” and responsible for several attacks in the community.
Hout Bay Security manager and officer, and resident, Fareed Hoosen, who was recently bitten by the dog, said the matter has been reported to the police.
“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 said.
“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.”
Hoosen said a complaint was lodged at Hout Bay SAPS.
Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said 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,” he said.
This comes as the National Freedom Party (NFP) has called for more stringent legislation which either bans or places restrictions on pit bulls as pets in South Africa.
There has been an increase in the number of deaths from pit bull attacks in recent months.
NFP MP Ahmed Munzoor Shaik Emam, said 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.
Meanwhile, the SA National Civic Organisation in North West called for pit bulls to be categorised as wild animals and that legislation regarding their domestication, including neglect, be tightened.
This follows the death of a 39-year- old man who was mauled to death by a pit bull at a tavern near Rustenburg.
Animal Welfare Society of South Africa spokesperson Allen Perrins said: “The Animal Welfare Society of South Africa is opposed to breed specific legislation and the call for a ban of pit bulls. The existing laws are in our opinion adequate. They simply need to be enforced. We are in favour of a set of revised regulations governing all breeds of dog ownership not just pit bulls. We need to nurture a Society that can do what's right without it having to be the law.”
*This story has been updated to reflect the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa comment.
Cape Times