Durban - Pit bull terriers and pitbull cross-breeds will have no option of adoption at the Durban and Coast SPCA and will be put down if unwanted or unclaimed by their owners.
The SPCA branch – the only one in KwaZulu-Natal with such a policy – confirmed this week that it would not take the risk of rehoming a pit bull or pitbull mix because of the”unpredictability” of the breed.
Animal adoption and rights organisations disagree with the policy while animal lovers are outraged, accusing the SPCA of not fulfilling its mandate to protect animals.
One such animal lover is Maxine Parry, who took to Facebook this week to express her disbelief that the Durban and Coast SPCA would not allow her to adopt a stray pit bull she had rescued a few days earlier.
She said she was “heart-broken” at the decision as she had found the dog to be loving and calm.
“The dog had been through hell and I just wanted to give it a home… I just don’t understand why they put it in isolation, it is so gentle,” Parry told The Mercury.
Durban and Coast SPCA spokeswoman Caroline Smith confirmed that this particular dog – believed to be a pure-bred pit bull – was in its “stray period” and would be kept for seven days to give the rightful owner a chance to reclaim it before it was put down.
If a pit bull was to be handed in at the SPCA by an owner who no longer wanted it, it would be put down, she added.
“This policy is in place because of the unpredictability of this breed, which is bred to attack and be vicious. Added to this is that most dogs come into our SPCA without us having any idea of their history,” Smith said.
Reacting to Parry’s story, Facebook users criticised this SPCA’s stance, saying it was too quick to put dogs down.
Mariana Koen wrote: “It is unfair to put it down. Any dog is temperamental. If the dog is brought up with love and not been abused, you won’t have a problem. Why always blame pit bulls?”
Jane Nisbet questioned why pitbulls were singled out when there were as many attacks on people by other dogs.
Elizabeth Maree said: “So, because it has pit bull in it they have the right just to kill it? I thought SPCAs were supposed to help and protect animals.”
But Smith defended the policy, saying: “It would be irresponsible of our SPCA to home this breed to families. The sad case of the toddler attacked by his own pet pit bull last week is testament to the unpredictable temperament of the pit bull breed and we are not prepared to take this risk.”
The case Smith was referring to was that of 14-month old Sebastian Strecker who was mauled in the face. Sebastian’s father, Dwayne, could only get their dog off his son by stabbing it with his pen knife. The dog eventually died from its injuries. Sebastian required 134 stitches and two of his teeth were ripped out.
The Kloof, aManzimtoti, Pietermaritzburg and Richards Bay SPCAs said they would rehome pit bulls, although strict procedures when assessing the dogs and finding them suitable homes applied.
The Animal Anti-Cruelty League disagreed that pit bulls and pit bull cross-breeds should be unilaterally euthanised.
“They should be treated as individual dogs and assessed as such. Any dog has the potential to bite and circumstances are often based on various factors, not just on the breed,” said spokesman Heather Cowie.
The Pitbull Union of SA said each case should be judged on its merits.
“We do not agree that they should be euthanised because of their breed… They can definitely be rehomed,” said spokesman Herman Labuschagne, adding: “Pure pit bulls are not built to be guard dogs. They are not good guard dogs as they are not bred to be human aggressive.” - The Mercury