The Sizwe Kupelo Foundation met with Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza over the controversial “Ban pit bulls as domestic pets in South Africa” petition.
THE SIZWE Kupelo Foundation met with Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza recently over the controversial “Ban pit bulls as domestic pets in South Africa” petition.
Last year, the non-profit organisation that advocates for vulnerable children, called for the immediate ban on pit bulls following an attack that resulted in the death of a 10-year-old in Nelson Mandela Bay.
The organisation handed over the petition to the minister, which has garnered more than 139,000 signatures.
In a statement on Tuesday, the ministry said Didiza raised the government’s concern over the loss of lives and the dangers associated with pit bulls.
The minister indicated that the government was working to find a solution to the problem.
“Amongst the work that is currently under way is the comprehensive DNA analysis of pit bull and pit bull-type dogs, to assist with correct identification of problem animals unique to South Africa. This exercise will also investigate aggressive behaviour and will assist in identifying the pit bull and pit bull-type dogs that may be developed through indiscriminate cross breeding,” she said.
“The department is also working with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to amend (the) Animal Matters Amendment Act of 1993 to ensure that citizens are protected from any harm and that owners of such animals are held accountable for whatever damages caused by power dogs and other animals.”
Didiza said key role-players in the private sector, namely the Pit Bull Federation of South Africa (PBFSA) and the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE) International, had joined hands with the department to create a joint task team to identify short-, medium- and long-term practical approaches to promote the safety of all people living with pit bulls and pit bull-type dogs to reduce and prevent injuries and loss of life on all fronts.
“This is indeed an assignment that needs multiple government departments including municipalities whom the department is envisaging to help in ensuring reviews and implementation of by-laws to better manage keeping of companion animals such as dogs, and to ensure (the) safety and welfare of both human beings, and animals,” said the minister.
Didiza committed the department to work with all other relevant stakeholders to ensure that this issue was addressed to the satisfaction of all involved, especially to ensure that all citizens were safe from any harm caused by dogs and other domestic animals.
