CAPE TOWN - The Durbanville community is in mourning following the death of a 66-year-old man who was attacked by two pit bulls that escaped from their Hadida Street home at the weekend.
While the investigation into how the dogs got out of the yard is underway, it is believed the lock of the gate was broken.
At about 1pm on Friday the dogs ran into the street and came across the 66-year-old man in front of the home he was renting.
According to Durbanville station commander, Marchell Rhode the dogs attacked him by biting his face, head and feet.
Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk spokesperson said an inquest case was being probed and a post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
This after reports that the man suffered a heart attack during the attack.
Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson, Belinda Abraham confirmed the dogs were at their facility and were waiting for further instructions about their fate.
“The dogs were removed by Law Enforcement and brought to the SPCA for safekeeping until their investigation has been concluded. We await the outcomes of the investigation and instructions from Law Enforcement. The SPCA does not make the decisions regarding the fate of the dogs,” she said.
A number of incidents of people being mauled by pit bulls have been reported this year.
This includes the case of five-year-old Milani Keke from Gugutlethu who was attacked and killed by his neighbours two pit bulls when he went looking for his ball in the yard.
Five-year-old Milani Guzi from Khayelitsha, made a narrow escape when she was attacked by a pit bull dog that broke free from its chain, while walking on the street.
Abraham said the SPCA encourages responsible pet ownership of all breeds but power breeds require a greater level of responsibility.
“Pit bull ownership requires an understanding and acceptance of their genetic make-up and an investment in their environment to maintain an equilibrium and avert disasters. Each individual dog is born with certain genetic predispositions to behavioural traits, something a pet owner has little control over.
“What we do have control over, but fail to take responsibility for, is the modification of a pet’s environment (via training or management) to prevent, reduce, increase, or eliminate behaviours,” she said.
Cape Times