Pit bull issue a bone of contention in SA

Update

GEORGE NEWS - The pit bull issue in South Africa has been a bone of contention for the last couple of weeks.

A call has recently gone out that the breed should be banned completely, while others feel just as strongly that the breed is not at fault.

They say it's not necessary to ban pit bulls, but that they have to be better managed through actions such as sterilisation, permits and breeding restrictions.

Tension is building up between pit bull owners and victims of pit bull attacks as the call to ban the breed gains momentum.

The victims, who have either lost limbs or suffered serious injuries after being mauled by pit bulls, have joined the call to have the breed banned as domestic pets.

However, the Pit Bull Federation of South Africa (PBFSA) has issued a warning that should the ban be successful, it could see an increase in illegal dogfighting and animal abuse.

The federation has also warned that unfit dog owners could pick another aggressive breed to use for illegal activities.

The call to have the breed banned was launched in the form of a petition by the Sizwe Kupelo Foundation earlier this month. The petition has gained more than 29 000 signatures.

From the breeder's mouth

George Herald spoke to a local preservation breeder who breeds pit bull terriers to enhance the breed's best qualities by breeding ethically. He only breeds a few litters a year and if you want a puppy from him you have to be prepared to join a long waiting list.

"People have to stop supporting puppy mills. They have puppies available every month and breeding is done very irresponsibly. Mothers are bred to their sons, sons with daughters and so on," said the breeder, who wishes to remain anonymous.

"Rather go to the SPCA and adopt a homeless dog of any breed. These dogs make great pets and are no risk to your family or any one else." According to the breeder properly bred pit bulls make great family companions as long as their owners invest time and effort in them.

"This breed needs a lot of space to exercise and they need a firm leader that can train, socialise and love them. Instead most of them in the wrong hands are chained to a pole or their prey drive is enhanced by hanging them from a tyre. This can have devastating consequences. What are you actually teaching your dog to do?" he said.

More tips

He suggested that if you have an aggressive dog that you do not trust around visitors, you should rather surrender the dog to the SPCA. "The law is against you and you will be held responsible. Learn about the importance of broad-based socialisation before you get any dog.

This breed needs space. They do not want to be confined to a small area. Dogs attack for a reason, and normally it is a combination of things over a period of time, like teasing and abuse combined with cross- or inbreeding and a lack of socialisation," he said.

Attacks are recent

"Attacks are recent and happen more frequently these days. In the last three years I have heard of more attacks than in my 25 years of breeding, as these dogs are getting into the wrong hands more often," says the breeder.

Genetics and cross-breeding

Cross-breeding and inbreeding often double up on existing genetic defaults. Cross- or inbreeding breeds that fall into the category of molosser dogs (such as boxers, bull terriers, cane corso, Dogue de Bordeaux, Fila Brasileiro, great Dane, great Pyrenees, mastiffs, Newfoundlands, Neopolitan mastiffs, sharpeis and Tibetan mastiffs), can be dangerous.

"For the survival of the breed, it is imperative that people not just support anyone that has pups - especially with pit bulls. Most pit bulls found in informal settlements are cross- or inbred and sadly most people consider this to be a pit bull when it is in fact not even close," the breeder said.

There is a long process to get bloodlines screened and certified through CanineSA, which is the biggest independent canine genealogy organisation in the country, and PBFSA.

Puppies need to be micro-chipped and legally binding contracts have to be signed that state that dogs must be sterilised in a given time frame and that all pups have to be vaccinated by the time they are six weeks old.

"Even as a breeder who has been in the industry for more than 25 years, I have never had a client whose dogs have bitten or mauled a child. My advice would be to research any breed that you are interested in, see if it suits your lifestyle and household, and learn about socialisation before buying a puppy," he said.

Many believe the breed shouldn't be banned, but ownership should be better regulated.

Awssa speaks up

Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWSSA) spokesperson Allan Perrins said the society does not support breed-specific legislation.

"Research shows that bans on certain types of dogs are largely ineffective. The simple fact is that dogs of any breed can become dangerous when they are intentionally or unintentionally raised to be aggressive," he said.

According to Perrins, responsible owner-ship of any dog requires a sincere commit-ment to proper socialisation, humane training and careful supervision.

"Laws that ban particular breeds of dogs do not achieve these aims and instead create the illusion - but not the reality - of enhanced public safety. All dogs, including pit bulls, are individuals."

ALSO READ: Pit bull issue a bone of contention

A screenshot of a conversation with a backyard breeder. They will sell their puppies to anyone very cheaply.