Another child has succumbed to injuries incurred after reportedly being mauled by a pit bull.
DispatchLive reported on Wednesday night that a toddler was attacked in the Cambridge area in the Eastern Cape.
The one-year-old reportedly died at Frere Hospital, a source said.
The incident was acknowledged to the publication by provincial Department of Health spokesperson Yonela Dekeda.
ALSO READ: Pit bull petition to protect humans and animals endorsed by NSPCA
String of attacks
The toddler is the third child this month to die after being attacked by pit bulls.
On Sunday, three-year-old Keketso Saul was killed by a pit bull while playing in a neighbour’s yard.
The owner of the dog, 21-year-old Lebohang Pali, has since been arrested and charged with keeping dangerous dogs, in accordance with the Animals Amendment Act, OFM News reported.
He was granted R300 bail, and was due to appear in court again on Wednesday morning.
A week prior, eight-year-old Olebogeng Mosime was mauled to death by a pit bull in the Vista Park area in Bloemfontein.
The dog reportedly escaped by jumping over a fence and entered the yard where Mosime was playing.
A petition was launched by the Sizwe Kupelo Foundation last month to ban the ownership of pit bulls, in a bid to prevent further attacks and deaths.
This was spurred on by the mauling to death of 10-year-old Storm Nuku by two pit bulls at his home in Gelvandale, Gqeberha in September.
The SPCA has had its hands full over the past few weeks since the surge in tragic attacks. Many pit bulls have been surrendered to the SPCA by frightened owners.
Pit bulls have also been poisoned, stabbed, beaten and set alight by angry community members in response to the incidents.
ALSO READ: Angry residents, stab, stone and burn three pit bulls after they mauled a girl
Government action needed
In a statement released on Wednesday, the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) formally addressed the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform, imploring them to make their strategy to address the “national issue” known.
According to Section 10 of the Animal Protection Act no 71 of 1962, the deparmtent’s minister Thoko Didiza has the authority to promulgate new regulations in terms of the pit bull petition.
“There is an urgent need for government intervention with regard to this issue, failing which humans and animals could be harmed at an even greater scale,” NSPCA public relations officer Keshvi Nair said.
ALSO READ: Child killed by pitbull that jumped fence while playing outside
Compiled by Nica Richards.
The Citizen is awaiting comment from Dekeda. Updates on the latest attack to follow as more information is made available.
