The whole debate about pitbulls, whether they are protectors or a danger to society, seems to have resurfaced in the public domain. Paarl Post spoke to the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA), dog trained specialists and pitbull owners about the issue, about safety tips relating to the breed and re-homing.
“It was the SPCA movement that had boots on the ground, removing unwanted pitbulls from the public and opening its doors to anyone who no longer wished to keep their pitbulls for whatever reason,” NSPCA public relations officer Keshvi Nair pointed out.
Following the media frenzy that ensued an increased number of pitbulls were being surrendered to SPCAs across the country.
Nair said when the pitbull issue came to light in 2022 and took the media by storm it was the SPCA movement that ultimately stepped up to the challenge to help communities and help the animals as well.
As for why pitbulls are aggressive, a number of factors need to be considered. According to Nair, one of these is the undeniable fact that however well-trained, loved, well looked after the dog may be, under certain conditions and stimuli the very dangerous breed-specific characteristics of a pitbull will manifest, and that is when you see devastation occur.
That is why the SPCA has reiterated that pitbulls should be owned only by people who have the knowledge, skills, time, understanding and resources. According to Nair, pitbulls shouldn’t be owned by first-time dog owners or people who don’t understand the breed extensively.
The SPCA movement does not support the call to ban pitbulls or any other breed of dog. What the NSPCA does is protect the vulnerable by way of stronger regulation and control with regard to the keeping and breeding of pitbulls and other power breeds.
The NSPCA often finds pitbulls being kept in some of the most cruel and inhumane conditions.
They are found on heavy chains or in small, cramped cages. Often, the owners themselves are so afraid of the dogs that they are found locked in the cages with their food and water simply being thrown over into the cage to feed them.
Pitbulls used in dogfights are found with injuries, wounds and diseases that have been left untreated. The females are often found to have been bred relentlessly and are underweight or emaciated.
Most of the time, pitbulls are acquired by people to be used as weapons, to be used as a symbol of power, for dog fighting or for security. They are very rarely owned by people who actually care about the dog and fully understand the breed.
Furnill Manus of Le Furn Dog Training, a dog behavioural specialist that operates in the Wellington and Paarl areas, said the reason for pitbulls to show aggressive behaviour is that they are a combination of the genetics of the breed itself and how they were raised.
According to Manus pitbulls were bred to bite and hold large animals and when this was outlawed people started fighting their dogs against one another. “This is the pitbull’s natural instinct when another dog barks at them or someone agitates them,” he said.
Any dog needs to learn how to interact, play and communicate with people and other dogs, especially during the critical puppy socialisation period between 6 and 16 weeks of age.
“What tends to happen is that these puppies are taken away from their littermates and mother before six weeks and before they can learn how to interact and play with one another.
The mother does not get time to correct her puppies’ inappropriate biting behaviour.
This is also the period when a puppy does not have all the required vaccinations to prevent common diseases and owners tend to keep the puppy away from everything and they miss this [crucial] socialisation period.”
Manus also mentioned that people tend to get pitbulls because they want their property to be protected, but adds pitbulls need mental and physical exercise, with enough space to run around.
“What I mostly see is pitbulls are outdoors on chains, but with none of the above needs met,” he said.
A dog that lives outside with none of their needs met does not know any rules, boundaries or limits, nor do they have a proper relationship with their owners. This means your pitbull does not look to you as the owner for direction or leadership.”
Lianne Nel, one of the founders of Paarl Rescue Obsessed, which focuses on sick and injured animals and re-homing unwanted animals, told Paarl Post she has come across pitbulls that were abused and neglected.
She pointed out that pitbulls are working dogs and, as with any other dog, they need daily exercise, stimulation and training. Socialisation classes and obedience training are a must for pitbulls. “It is becoming more difficult to regiment power breeds due to the stigma attached to them and all the media attention,” said Nel.
“Power breeds can definitely be re-homed, taking into consideration all the necessary important factors to do so successfully and safely, such as the animal’s background, previous living conditions, the ability to get on with other animals and humans.”
Sometimes due to various factors it is not safe or advisable to rehome. Sometimes it is better to re-home to homes with no other animals (neither cats nor children). Every precaution must be taken.
The same applies to any other breed.
Symither Liedeman, a local pitbull owner, told Paarl Post she didn’t have a problem with pitbulls. “If you raise your pitbull properly and decently, you won’t end up in a situation where they will bite you,” she said.
Elroy Groenewald, another pitbull owner, said pitbulls should be protected. “I grew up with pitbulls, my uncle was breeding them and we never had an incident where they bit one another. I love pitbulls and will never harm them, because they protect me and my family.”
