The influence of American gang culture, in which thugs walk the streets with large vicious dogs, has been blamed for the attack on an ageing baboon in Kommetjie Road, near Ocean View.
The SPCA's Alan Perrins said on Thursday the culture promoted dogfights and attacks on other animals.
But he added that the attack on Eric, a 20-year-old baboon on Tuesday by an American Pitbull and a Staffordshire Terrier had been isolated.
"In terms of spontaneous attacks, those particular breeds have a predisposition to attacking other dogs," said Perrins.
He said the two breeds were "totally" fearless and loyal to their owners even if they were being abused.
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"When they bite, they bite things off and break them. Other large dogs, like Rottweilers will growl and 'muzzle punch' you as a warning. These animals won't," said Perrins.
A nurse at the Fourways Veterinary Clinic in Sun Valley said Eric was doing "all right" and that there was a possibility he would have to undergo surgery to one of his legs, which sustained muscle damage as a result of the attack.
The two dogs are in the care of the SPCA after their owners were arrested and charged with contravening the National Parks Act and have since appeared in the Simon's Town Magistrate's Court.
Perrins said that after a behavioural assessment was done on both animals a recommendation would be made as to whether they should be put down.
"There are many pitbulls and their hybrids running around in Ocean View; if I was a parent in the area I would be afraid that my child could be attacked by one of these dogs," said Perrins.
The conditions under which such dogs were kept often made them vicious.
"These animals are muscular, they need exercise. Nine times out of ten, they are kept in tiny backyards," said Perrins.
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