Hennenman – A toddler has been mauled to death by two pit bulls, prompting onlookers to turn on the dogs, killing one with a spade.
The 3-year-old child was playing with other children at a house in Sekoti Mpate Phomolong, Lejweleputswa district in the Free State, when he was attacked by two pit bulls.
Police said the tragic incident happened at about 08:15 Sunday morning.
Upset by the attack, angry residents threw stones at the dogs. Someone used a spade to strike one of the vicious dogs until it died.
The dead dog was set alight before attention shifted to its owner.
Fortunately, Welkom Public Order Policing (POP) members were summoned, and they arrived in time to save the dog owner from possible harm. The dog owner has been whisked away to a safe place.
The surviving pit bull was taken by the SPCA.
Police said an inquest case into the toddler’s death had been registered and would be investigated.
“The situation is tense, but POP members are here in numbers to ensure that law and order are maintained,” police said.
The fatal attack comes soon after eight-year-old Olebogeng Mosime was mauled to death by his neighbour’s pit bull. which jumped over the fence and pounced on him.
The child was attacked by the Pit bull last weekend in Vista Park, Bloemfontein in the Free State.
Olebogeng was laid to rest on Friday, (18 November 2022).
In another incident, a 12-year-old girl survived a pit bull attack but lost her arm.
Following a public outcry over the pit bull attacks on humans, the department of agriculture met with pit bull breeders’ associations over the continued attacks on humans, including infants.
Meanwhile, the SPCA in Bloemfontein said since the fatal mauling of the 8-year-old, 49 pit bulls had been surrendered to animal welfare organisation by their owners.
