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The pitbull breed has been thrust into the spotlight in Knysna over past week after proposed changes to the town's keeping of dogs by-law received massive public outcry.
This, just days after two alleged members of a pitbull fighting syndicate took the witness stand in the trial involving six men who were arrested during a police raid outside Plettenberg Bay in 2011.
The Knysna Municipality received comments from residents suggesting special provisions on the control of pitbulls in its keeping of dogs by-law as they considered the animals a dangerous breed.
These proposed provisions include that pitbull owners not be allowed to walk their dogs in public areas, even on a leash. If the provisions are approved owners will also be required to apply to the municipality to retain the dog.
These proposals were put to members of the municipality's governance committee last week which was followed by massive public outcry and have led to a petition to stop the notion. By Wednesday more than 1150 people have signed the document, which will be delivered to the Knysna Municipality.
Knysna mayor Georlene Wolmarans however said that it was important to understand that legislation required local municipalities to regularly review by-laws and the one in question came under review as a matter of course.
"Some minor changes to this by-law were approved by our Council earlier this year for the purposes of public comment, in accordance with legal requirements. The proposed by-law on the keeping of dogs has, as advertised in the local media, been open for comment on the municipal website and at libraries since July 9 this year," Wolmarans said.
"Among other minor comments received from residents during this public participation process, were comments to the effect that Council should include in the proposed by-law special provisions on the control of pitbulls, because they are considered dangerous by those respondents."
She added the administration considered this matter and drafted provisions which were put to the governance committee on October 7th as recommendations for discussion.
"These were recommended for consideration by my mayoral Ccmmittee, which meets on October 23. As mayor, I will make appropriate recommendations to Council at the next scheduled meeting towards the end of November."
She added that she was a dog-lover herself and understood how much dogs were "part of the family". "I give the owners of pitbulls 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 pitbulls in Knysna, whether any new provisions are necessary and whether they would even be enforceable.
Any new provisions, including special provisions relating to pitbulls, or any other breed of dog generally considered dangerous, will once again be advertised for public comment, before they can be approved for promulgation."
In the meantime two of the six men who were arrested during a police raid on a property in Ladywood outside Plettenberg Bay three years ago, finally took the witness stand in the Knysna Regional Court last week after several postponements over the past year, including due to technical issues involving largely inaudible recordings.
The accused - Donald Wall of Victoria Park in Port Elizabeth, Rudi Wall of Queenstown, Peter Wall also of Queenstown, Owen Butler of East London, Yorick Grobbelaar of East London and Anton van Blerk also of East London - were part of a group of 10 men arrested during the bust.
During the trial witnesses testified that during the raid they had found two dogs fighting in a massive blood-splattered wooden cage in the lounge of the home on the property. Police also found dog fighting paraphernalia as well as five other dogs chained on the property. The accused were allegedly standing around the cage cheering as two pitbulls fought.
The accused pleaded not guilty on the charges against them and explained that they had been unaware that dog fighting would take place at the property and that they had been there merely as guests.
Rudi and Donald Wall stuck to this version during their time in the witness stand.
During cross examination however Rudi was shown a photograph found on his Facebook page depicting a pitbull restrained with a heavy chain - very similar to how the dogs were chained during the raid. This, after he testified that he did not chain his dog. He then admitted that it was his dog in the photograph.
Another photograph of the same dog showing a scar on the animal's head was also presented to him. He explained the scar was probably as a result of fleas.
Several discrepancies in Donald's testimony were also pointed out during cross examination.
The trial was placed on the roll for only three days and was then postponed until March 25th next year.
