Update: PBFSA speaks out about pit bulls after fatal Primrose attack
The Pit Bull Federation of South Africa (PBFSA) discusses the breed and gives owners and potential owners some advice.
Ané Stols, Gerard Edward and their family and friends are still reeling following the death of six-month-old baby Callum, who was reportedly attacked and killed by his grandmother’s pit bull yesterday (Wednesday).
This attack has sparked a debate among residents.
The Pit Bull Federation of South Africa (PBFSA) was reportedly inundated with calls on Wednesday following the tragic death and felt, given the severity of the situation, it was necessary to release an official statement.
“We apologise to those whose calls we may have missed and whose messages we have not yet replied to,” the statement began.
“Firstly, the PBFSA is going to openly go on record to state that this time around we will not be defending the responsible owner and we will not be showing both sides.
“Our beloved breed is in trouble, its worst enemy the very men and women who own these dogs, and because of this we are going to publish the ugly truths happening within the pit bull community.
“Truths that need to come out, and truths that need to be accepted if this breed has any chance of surviving in this country.
“We stay firm in our belief that should a dog kill a human being, its owner should be charged with culpable homicide.”
The PBFSA believes the biggest question on everyone’s lips and in everyone’s minds is why are there so many fatal pit bull attacks happening?
However, there isn’t just one answer to this, the PBFSA stated.
Below are seven “causes” that the PBFSA said could contribute to such attacks (please note the below list is directly quoted from the PBFSA’s official statement):
1. OWNERS:
The root cause of all of these attacks starts with those who we call the 99 per cent.
It is our firm belief that 99 per cent of pit bull terrier owners should not own a pit bull and that these dogs are being owned not because the breed is loved by their owners but because of the standing owning this breed gives the owners in society.
This does not only apply to the “wannabe gangsters” who need a pit bull as an extension of their ego, or the dog fighter exploiting the breed for profit, but also to the show community who will sacrifice things like temperament and soundness to chase the next title, the next placing.
It applies to the owner who has not done his or her homework and has acquired a pit bull for the wrong reasons, more often than not to guard property, and to the owner who has the most ridiculous expectations of the breed and the owner who could not care less but knows everything.
2. BREEDERS:
This is broken into the breeders of human aggressive dogs, and those who support them.
This is a problem that we mostly see in the show community.
There are breeders who are breeding dogs who are human aggressive, and the show community in their bid to own the next weight pull ace, the next high jump or long hang champion will buy these dogs progeny, and they will then go on to breed them when they become champions.
The PBFSA will now be discussing the option to ban the owners of dogs who show human aggression from showing those dogs indefinitely and then declaring the incident at the police station nearest the show grounds and publishing the name of the dog.
Temperament is over 60 per cent inherited and you cannot remove a dog’s genetics.
A human aggressive dog should be euthanised. To own, manage and work with a human aggressive dog requires skills and experience that most do not have.
They should not be sold, or re-homed, or given away.
The PBFSA is aware this may be harsh, but feels it is needed.
If you are knowingly breeding with dogs who have human aggression issues and selling them, you have blood on your hands.
If you are buying dogs who are known man biters you are complicit in the death or mauling of innocent people.
3. THE ANIMAL WELFARE AND ANIMAL RIGHTS MOVEMENT:
We have noticed a trend in South Africa where every Tom, Dick and Harry is now a pit bull rescuer.
These people have absolutely no breed knowledge, they refuse to acknowledge this breed’s history, they insist that love, socialisation and care will remove a poor and dangerous temperament.
When logic and reason are thrown their way, they bad-mouth, they go crazy, they lie and they fight.
Recently a well-known rescue organisation adopted a pit bull out who mauled a child’s leg off.
Its founder appeared on a well-known radio station and the presenter hailed the shelter owner as a hero.
Is this what society praises and condones?
The irresponsible re-homing of a dog who mauled a child so badly that she lost her leg?
When called into question by qualified behaviourists, experienced pit bull owners and experienced rescuers, this organisation’s supporters and staff went on a tirade and abused those calling for sense and sanity.
How dare these people who know nothing about this breed place it at risk?
How dare they risk the lives of innocent children?
The PBFSA receives at least three emails a week from concerned members of the public and welfare fraternity about dogs who are being re-homed, yet they have a bite history.
These shelters are conning the public into adopting, yet they are not disclosing the dog’s bite history.
We call on the public to be selective about who they donate to and adopt from.
A list of responsible pit shelters can be obtained from our offices.
4. SHOW ORGANISATIONS:
In an attempt to make numbers and fight for hierarchy in South Africa, the show organisations are guilty of overlooking a dog who has human aggression issues.
These issues are spoken away and never acted on.
When a dog is disqualified for human aggression it is seen as a petty issue by most.
The PBFSA will maintain our stance: human aggressive dogs or dogs who show any aggression should be disqualified.
We pose the question: are show numbers so important that you will risk the lives of humans and the breed you claim to love’s reputation?
5. BACKYARD BREEDERS:
The public and only the public who buy these dogs are guilty of creating the backyard breeder epidemic.
If these greedy people had no market, they would not breed.
The people who buy these dogs do not want to pay for a well-bred dog who comes from a breeder who has taken the time to research lines, to breed compatible dogs, to health test and to ensure that their dogs are of sound temperament.
Here is the shocking truth about backyard breeders: buying from these people is like playing Russian roulette. These “breeders” have no idea where their dogs are from, how they are bred, if they are even pure bred and they have no understanding of the important things like genetics and behaviour.
6. IRRESPONSIBLE PARENTS:
There is no such thing as “the nanny dog” and there never was.
It is a myth, a dangerous myth.
The PBFSA strongly believes that no child regardless of age should be left alone with a dog.
No dog should ever have to endure teasing, taunting or being climbed on or being harassed by any child.
Those photos of children sitting on dogs and babies sleeping on dogs are not cute.
7. LACK OF TRAINING:
Pit bull owners are notoriously famous for being lazy dog owners.
They skip what is probably the most important part of training, which is early and ongoing socialisation.
Socialisation does not mean the dog is taught to be friends with all dogs, as the pit bull is not genetically engineered to be his fellow canines’ best friend.
Socialisation in its truest sense is teaching your dog to cope with and function productively in society.
Skipping this creates a fearful dog.
Often owners mistake their pit bulls perceived reactions as “normal dog aggression” when in fact their dog is scared and overwhelmed by what is happening around him or her.
This in itself is dangerous as many dogs become fear biters or they redirect their frustration onto the nearest human.
Obedience training is also vital; these are powerful dogs who need to be handled kindly.
The PBFSA only endorses force-free training with an Animal Behaviour Consultants of South Africa (COAPE SA) trainer.
These trainers are not only expected to be qualified with recognised bodies, but they have many many practical hours under their belts.
An untrained dog is an unruly dog.
“We all have our roles to play if we are going to secure this breed’s future in South Africa, and it starts with us all accepting the truth and then working together to remedy the problems haunting this breed,” the PBFSA said in closing.
If you have any questions about the breed or would like more information, contact the PBFSA by emailing pro@pbfsa.co.za or WhatsApp the PBFSA on 079 821 4709.
RELATED ARTICLES:
Breaking News: Six-month-old boy killed in fatal dog attack
Update: Pit bull kills six-month-old baby, family speaks of the tragedy
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