By The recent tragic incident in Harare, where a man was mauled to death by a pitbull, has sparked widespread concern and debate about the dangers posed by these animals [1]. This incident brought back memories of my personal encounter with a pitbull in Stratheven, Harare, during my early 20s.
My experience with dog attacks began earlier, when I was bitten by a dog while visiting relatives in the rural areas. Despite the shock and pain, I managed to remain calm and composed, a trait that would later serve me well in my encounter with the pitbull. What’s interesting is that I had another encounter with the same dog that bit me. Years later, I visited the same homestead, only to find it deserted due to the war. As I entered the yard, the same dog sneaked up from under a granary and attempted to attack me. Drawing from my previous experience, I stood my ground, grabbed the dog by its neck skin, and threw it off balance.
By Sani Mbofana
The pitbull encounter occurred when I was walking to visit a friend who lived in a close that comes off Browning Drive, just behind Zuva Service Station in Stratheven. To reach my friend’s place, I had to pass by a different house that had vicious dogs, including two pitbulls. I knew about the dogs but never realized the danger they posed. As I approached the gate, which was left open, one of the pitbulls charged towards me, its intentions clear. Drawing from my previous experiences, I stood my ground and prepared to defend myself. The pitbull jumped sideways, attempting to knock me down, but missed. With no clear plan, I reached for the only object I had on me – a pair of handcuffs, which I possessed due to my first job in Harare. The shiny metal seemed to startle the dog, and it retreated back to its property.
The recent incident in Harare, where Samuel Machara tragically lost his life due to the negligence of the pitbull’s owner, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers these animals pose [2]. Many have argued that pitbulls are inherently aggressive and pose a significant threat to public safety [3]. The mayor of Harare, Cllr Jacob, has called for stricter bylaws that prohibit the keeping of pitbulls, referring to them as “very dangerous weapons.”
Having had my share of close calls with aggressive dogs, I am heartened to see that measures are being taken to address the issue. These efforts include strengthening animal control, enforcing existing bylaws, and developing new regulations. Ultimately, ensuring public safety requires a collective effort to raise awareness about the dangers posed by pitbulls and promote responsible pet ownership.
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