Man allegedly mauled to death by employer’s pitbull
Mpumalanga police are investigating an incident whereby a man was allegedly mauled to death by his employer’s pitbull dog at Marapyane in Mmametlhake on Friday, 18 October.
According to the information, the victim resided in his employer’s yard and worked as a caretaker of the pit bulls.
MPUMALANGA MAN MAULED TO DEATH BY PITBULL
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said it is reported that the pitbull dogs were often locked up and only released between 1:00 and 4:30 to conduct some patrols on the premises.
It is also said that the 58-year-old man went for an outing on Thursday, 17 October, and probably, as he returned to his accommodation in the early hours of Friday, 18 October, it is suspected that he was somehow attacked by the dog at that time which resulted in his untimely death.
“Thereafter, the victim was discovered by a security guard, lying motionless on the ground, with multiple injuries as well as a pitbull dog was found next to the victim.
“The employer was notified and reported the matter to the authorities. Upon arrival at the scene, they found him motionless, lying on the ground with some visible injuries on his body. He was unfortunately certified dead by the medical personnel,” he explained.
DOG PUT DOWN
Further, Mdhluli said the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) had already put down the dog in question on Saturday, 19 October.
Acting Mpumalanga police commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi voiced his heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s family.
Mkhwanazi further highlighted that the police will investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident, and an inquest case is currently being investigated.
“We call for calm during this time, and let us allow the investigation team to probe this incident thoroughly without being disturbed or distracted,” Mkhwanazi said.
EMPLOYER’S DOGS ALLEGEDLT FEAST ON DOMESTIC WORKER
In March this year, a 65-year-old domestic worker passed away after she was allegedly mauled to death by her employer’s dogs.
A preliminary SAPS probe suggested that Tryphina Mngomezulu was allegedly attacked by about six dogs at the time when her employers were not at home; however, nothing has been concluded.
In this case, the dogs were also put down by the SPCA.
DO YOU THINK PITBULL OWNERS SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE IF THEIR DOGS MAUL PEOPLE TO DEATH?
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