A mother from Cape Town remains deeply concerned as her four-year-old son, C’Jay Nell, fights for his life following a severe pit bull attack in Macassar. The incident occurred a week ago, on 12 March, when the young boy visited a property in Chris Hani Park where the dog resided.
C’Jay’s mother, Shireen, shared that she was not present during the incident and only learned about it afterwards.
“I wasn’t with him when this happened. He was at the house where the man had a pit bull,” she explained. “The community members saved him and the dog was killed. I was only informed when everything was over.”
Currently, C’Jay remains in a critical state at the Red Cross War Memorial Hospital, where doctors have placed him under intensive care. According to Shireen, medical professionals are yet to determine whether surgery will be necessary due to the severity of the injuries inflicted by the pit bull.
“My son is in critical condition at Red Cross War Memorial Hospital. He might have surgery; we are waiting for the doctors to decide while he is kept in the intensive care unit. The dog bit him close to his heart,” Shireen said.
In the aftermath, community members who intervened to save C’Jay now face charges for animal cruelty, initiated by local authorities. Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie confirmed the case and highlighted that those responsible for killing the pit bull could face legal repercussions.
Community leader Christiaan Stewart, reflecting on the incident, described the difficult circumstances residents found themselves in. According to Stewart, community members were compelled to act urgently due to the severe nature of the attack, prioritising the child’s survival over the dog’s life.
“I heard about the incident, the child was walking when he entered a yard. The dog bit him. It was a terrible incident, the community fought the dog. The dog has died, and the community chose to save the child,” Stewart said.
Stewart further addressed criticisms from animal rights organisations, specifically the SPCA, arguing that practical considerations had forced residents to act swiftly.
“The SPCA opened a case against the community and said the community members should have called them, and their offices are about five to six kilometres away. The SPCA needs to be more realistic. This was not an ordinary dog, it’s a pit bull. If the community didn’t stop the dog, the boy probably would not have survived,” he explained.
He suggested that instead of prosecuting, the SPCA should work towards educating residents on proper protocols for handling such incidents in the future.
However, Belinda Abraham, spokesperson for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, clarified that their organisation was not directly involved in initiating the case against the community. Nonetheless, Abraham strongly condemned the killing of the animal, emphasising adherence to established procedures.
“It is our understanding that a case of animal cruelty has been opened and that those responsible for the death of the dog now face criminal proceedings,” Abraham said. “The cruel death of any animal is not justifiable and has no place in modern society. It is unnecessary in a city where we have laws that protect both people and animals.”.
The recent tragic incident involving four-year-old C’Jay Nell, who is currently in critical condition following a pit bull attack in Macassar, Cape Town, has reignited the debate over the ownership and regulation of pit bulls in South Africa. This event has intensified public discourse on whether stricter measures, such as banning the breed or implementing mandatory licensing, should be enforced to prevent future occurrences.
Over the past five years, South Africa has witnessed several fatal pit bull attacks, underscoring the urgency of this issue. Notable incidents include:
- Eight-year-old Olebogeng Mosime was fatally attacked by a pit bull in Bloemfontein.
- Three-year-old Keketso Innocent Saule lost his life following an attack by two pit bulls in Hennenman.
- Fifteen-month-old Reuben le Roux was killed by a pit bull in East London.
- Thirty-seven-year-old Zimkhitha Brenda Gaga was mauled to death by three pit bulls in Port Alfred.
- Thirty-nine-year-old Floyd Metsileng was killed by two pit bulls guarding a tavern in North West province.
These incidents have prompted various organizations and community leaders to call for more stringent regulations. The Sizwe Kupelo Foundation, for instance, has been at the forefront, urging the government to tighten regulations regarding pit bull ownership. In April 2023, the foundation presented a petition with over 139,000 signatures to Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza, advocating for a ban on pit bulls as domestic pets.
In response, the government has acknowledged the severity of the situation and is exploring measures to enhance public safety. Minister Didiza indicated that stakeholders, including the Pit Bull Federation of South Africa and the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology International, are collaborating to form a joint task team. This team aims to conduct a comprehensive DNA analysis of pit bulls and pit bull-type dogs to assist in identifying problem animals and address aggression-related behaviors.
Despite these efforts, there has been little progress in implementing concrete regulations. As of November 2024, the Sizwe Kupelo Foundation expressed frustration over the lack of updates from the government since their meeting in February 2023. Kupelo emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating, “We’ve done everything in our power to talk to authorities. We have engaged with various stakeholders… This is taking too long; people are dying.”
The ongoing debate raises critical questions about the future of pit bull ownership in South Africa. Will the government implement a complete ban on the breed, or will they opt for stricter licensing and ownership regulations? As communities grapple with the aftermath of these attacks, the need for decisive action becomes increasingly apparent to ensure the safety of all citizens.
