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People’s Post
DEFENDING THE BREED
Pit bulls get bad rap SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS SAMANTHA.LEE@PEOPLESPOST.CO.ZA @SAMANTHA_LEE121
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erely mentioning the word “pit bull” continues to instil a sense of fear or panic. This fear stems mainly from stigma attached to the breed as a result of years of grooming and training for dog fighting. While the blood sport has been banned in South Africa since 1945, underground rings are still active. However, strides have been taken to shut these rings down. In February, provincial minister for community safety, Albert Fritz, met with members of the Cape Animal Welfare Forum (CAWF) to address the issue of dog fighting and establish a task team in conjunction with the provincial department of social development. Both the Cape of Goodhope SPCA and Animal Welfare Society (AWS) are also tackling dog fighting. The Cape Flats is especially synonymous with underground dog fighting rings. Recently, the Cape of Goodhope SPCA rescued several pit bulls in unrelated cases in Hanover Park and Manenberg. In the first incident, SPCA chief inspector Jaco Pieterse and inspector Siviwe Noko rescued female pit bull Athana in Hanover Park. “After receiving evidence of this illegal and brutal act our inspectors jumped into action and obtained a court order from the Wynberg magistrates court to rescue Athana. Repeated scarring was visible all over Athana’s face and legs, which is indicative of dog fighting,” reads a statement by the SPCA. In the second incident, inspectors rescued several dogs in Manenberg after receiving video evidence of dog fights. The inspectors were accompanied by law enforcement and Manenberg police officers. In the videos received, the dogs can be seen ripping each other apart and a crowd of bystanders are cheering them on. Athana’s owner faces criminal charges. Unfortunately, one of the culprits in the Manenberg incident fled the scene but will be charged. Allan Perrins, spokesperson for AWS, says dog fighting is part of the core function of
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their inspectorate. “The most serious case that we have been involved with recently involves a group of youths from Ocean View who allegedly throw dogs into crude fighting pits to fight to the death. It is alleged that if the loser does not succumb to his/her injuries the dog is stoned to death. This matter resulted in the City of Cape Town establishing a special anti-dog fighting task team that we are a member of,” says Perrins. Over the last two years alone, AWS has investigated more than 2 800 cases of animal cruelty. Under the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962, anyone participating in dog fighting – dog owners, trainers or spectators – can face a fine of up to R80 000 or be sentenced to prison for up to two years. Both of these actions will result in a criminal record. Under the act, prohibited acts of cruelty including causing unnecessary suffering due to confinement, chaining or tethering, abandonment, unnecessarily denying food or water, keeping in a dirty or parasitic condition, or failing to provide veterinary assistance is also punishable. Chaining, hitting and starvation are often “training” methods for dogs who are groomed to participate in dog fighting. Other than pit bull terriers, pit bull crosses, Rottweilers and other bull terriers are used for dog fighting with bait dogs including smaller and less fierce breeds such as Maltese Poodles. Blood sports, such as slave matches, cock fighting and dog fighting, is believed to stem from the Roman empire where two beings are pitted against each other with one purpose to draw blood in brutal matches that could result in death. In England, bulldogs were frequently cross-bred with terriers and forced to attack bulls or bears (bull-baiting). After this practice was prohibited in 1835, dogs were pitted against each other and the “sport” had spread the world over. Despite general fear caused by the stigma, pit bull owners are speaking out in defence of the breed. Martin Fillies from Lotus River says he has had his pit bull, Jesse, for the past 10 years. “She was gifted to me from a friend who had puppies. I also had a fear of the pit bull, but since I got her from birth, I knew she would
at least be friendly to me if I raised her. She is the most loving and playful dog. She loves to cuddle,” he says. Fillies says he is familiar with dog fighting and has often been approached about pairing with Jesse. “I had her sterilised at nine months because I know there is a risk she could be stolen to breed. It happens,” he says. “I saw a video on Facebook of a dog fight and the one dog looked just like Jesse. Same colour. I just think about where she could have been if I did not take her.” Another owner, Miranda Paulse from Lentegeur, says her pit bull has been a family pet for eight years. “He is very vicious-looking. Muscular, dark coat and has a deep bark, but he is so loving. Many are too afraid to visit us because of Bruno, but we love him and he would not hurt anyone. It hurts me to see an animal hurt. They did not ask to be our pets so how can we mistreat them?” she says. “These dogs are not dangerous, it is the owner’s at fault for raising them to be vicious. They give the pitbull a bad name.” Ricardo De Long from Kuils River says a pit bull, like any other dog, just needs love. “I’ve had my pit bull for years now and not once has Max shown aggression towards myself or my kids. I actually have a video where my pit bull takes commands from my daughter,” he says. There is still hope for a few animals rescued from dog fighting but for most they are too scarred to be saved, says Perrins. “We have successfully rehabilitated a few dogs, but many have suffered too much to go on to make a full recovery – especially psychologically,” he says. Pit bulls are particularly popular for use in
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Pit bull puppies are often groomed for fighting from a young age. PHOTO: SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS
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dog fights because of their powerful jaws, muscular frame and relentless nature when in a fight. But when raised and nurtured properly, pit bulls are seen as loyal, gentle animals. But despite this, it is through education and a societal shift that this stigma be changed. “Dog fighting is illegal and must be eradicated from society. This evil crime against dogs has a negative impact on our communities and is connected to other crimes like gang violence, domestic violence, drugs and other serious crimes. We must stand united to stop dog fighting,” says Pieterse.
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