Cape Town - Dog owners in Knysna are at loggerheads with the area’s municipality over a proposed by-law – the Keeping of Dogs – which includes possible new restrictions that would have consequences for pit bull owners in particular.
The by-law was discussed at the Governance and Economic Development Committee meeting last week. It would be put to the mayoral committee next Thursday, but the final decision would be made by mayor Georlene Wolmarans in November.
The pit bull by-law clause makes it compulsory that pit bull owners apply to the council to retain ownership of their dogs or the dog would be removed from their care.
After each application a municipal official would inspect the owner’s premises for safety and security to see if it was fit to house a pit bull.
Should they get approval to keep the dog, owners should expect regular law enforcement inspections.
The inspections would be to ensure that owners trained and treated their dogs well. Should the inspectors deem that the dog posed a danger to the public it would be removed.
The by-law also prevents pit bulls from being walked in built-up areas and certain public spaces such as residential neighbourhoods, taxi ranks and Knysna’s city centre – even when on a leash.
In a statement, Wolmarans said: “As a dog lover myself I understand how much dogs are ‘part of the family’.
“I give the owners of pit bulls the assurance that I am taking their sentiments and interests very much to heart. I will consider the extent to which there really exists a problem with pit bulls in Knysna, whether any new provisions are necessary and whether they would even be enforceable.”
She urged the Knysna community not to “overreact”.
Dog owner and member of the Knysna pit bull Federation Club Dean Krompass said the proposed by-law was unfair.
“Our objective is to show people that there is no such thing as a bad pit bull, only a bad and uneducated owner.”
A group of pit bull owners would be taking part a national walk on November 22.
“A national walk will show people that we as pit bull owners are responsible and dedicated. Pit bull owners all over South Africa will partake in the event and show South Africa and the rest of the world that we love our breed and we will be their voice.”
Head of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, Allan Perrins disagreed with the proposed Knysna by-law.
“We should not condemn the breed for the deed of man.”
Perrins, who also owns a pit bull, said his dog was “the most loving pet”. He said his pit bull cohabits with his other dogs with no problems. “All dogs have a bite risk, but pit bulls have the capacity to inflict a bite wound that is more severe.”
Comparing ownership of a pit bull to that of a gun, Perrins said although both posed danger it was up to the handler/owner.
“A pit bull should be muzzled when walked in public areas. It’s like a gun; a gun can be dangerous if put in the hands of a dangerous person and so can a pit bull.”
He said people were using the dog’s loyalty and its hereditary protective instinct against it.
Perrins strongly disagreed with the proposed by-law. He said before it could be passed the Knysna municipality should first define what a pit bull is.
“There are so many different types of pit bull breeds that may physically resemble a pit bull. Mixed breeds are far more dangerous than pedigree pit bulls.”
Cape Argus