By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza received a petition with more than 139 000 signatures calling for a ban on pit bulls.
Didiza said the government was currently working on new laws to resolve this issue.
She added, 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.
A recent spate of deadly attacks by pit bulls have seen renewed calls for the animals to be banned.
The department’s Reggie Ngcobo says Didiza met with the Sizwe Kupelo Foundation after they handed over a petition, asking for pit bulls to be banned in the country.
“She indicated to the meeting that there is work that the government is currently doing to resolve the issue associated with this type of animal. Amongst the work that is currently underway 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 aggression behaviour and will assist in identifying the pit bull and pit bull type dogs that may be developed through indiscriminate cross-breeding.”
Didiza added that key role players in the private sector, such as the Pit Bull Federation of South Africa (PBFSA) and Centre of Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE) International, were working with the department to create a joint task team.
The task team would identify short-, medium- and long-term practical approaches to promote the safety of people living with pit bull-type dogs to reduce and prevent injuries and loss of life.