To date, a petition by the Sizwe Kupelo Foundation calling for the ban of pit bulls as domestic pets, has accumulated over 42 000 signatures - BUT – the Pit Bill Federation of South Africa has said in response: “Breed bans are proven to not work and this would be especially true in South Africa”.
Jeanette Erasmus, president of the PBFSA, has also stated to the media: “The idea to ban the breed outright will also not put an end to attacks by dogs, as the problem lies with negligent and careless owners, who will move on to the next breed". She also said that the ban would not get rid of the breed, but "push it into the black market and underground operations, while opening the door to corruption".
The federation has expressed its dismay that the Animal Protection Act of 1993 has not been enforced to regulate the breed saying the following on social media:
‘And we will stand by our call to hold those who have not done their job and enforced the law, and those who irresponsibly own, breed and rehome dogs with unstable temperaments to account. They have risked human lives and caused harm to good owners and dogs.
"These dogs have become too popular and too easy to acquire… Those who are tasked with enforcing the law have decided not to… You are legally responsible for anything your dog does… If your dog mauls somebody, it’s a criminal offence!" - PBFSA
The organization has added on its Facebook page the following statement :
On 17 October 2022, the PBFSA and the Sizwe Kupelo Foundation held talks to find an amicable solution going forward.
Our common goal is the same, to end maulings and bring about accountability for those whose dogs are maiming and killing people. The foundation will continue with its current campaign, but further talks will take place.
We have endeavored to work towards a fair and sustainable solution for all and we will keep our followers and the public updated as progress is made. In the meantime, we urge pit bull owners to heed what we have said in our podcasts, our news outlet articles, and on our page. Your conduct on social media going forward, your willingness to change your mindset, your conduct as dog owners, and your being willing to accept that there are bad dogs and bad owners, will largely determine your dogs future.
There is no longer room for " what aboutisms", there is no longer room for excuses, justifications and ego. If there is to be a way forward that serves all and that gives hope, you all will need to step out of your individual bubbles and accept what got us to this point, and commit to working with us to make sure the carnage stops, and that lives both human and animals can be preserved.
Change is never comfortable, but you have to realise that what has always happened or been promoted or done was destructive and needs to end.
We STRONGLY urge ALL Pit Bull owners to stop speculating as to what is or is not happening, but to rather calm down, reflect on what we have been saying and realise how very serious the situation in South Africa really is. We urge you to not attack anyone on FB, we implore you to remain civil and to control your emotions. We are here because the actions of certain people and sectors of society became reckless and paid no regard to lives".
