A pit bull was killed after it mauled an eight-year-old boy to death in Bloemfontein, the capital of the Free State province, South Africa, Charmingpro reports.
The grade 3 learner identified as Olebogeng Mosime, had been playing in his yard in Vista Park at around 2pm on Saturday, November 12, 2022 when the dog belonging to his neighbour escaped from its enclosure, jumped over the fence and attacked him.
Police spokesperson Lt-Col Thabo Covane, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, said the dog attacked the child, who was playing alone. It bit him severely on the neck and chest.
“Police and paramedics were summoned to the scene, and the boy was declared dead on the scene,” Covane said.
An inquest docket has since been opened at the Mangaung police station.
The Bloemfontein SPCA said the neighbour’s two other dogs had been removed and were in the care of the SPCA for safekeeping.
“The Bloemfontein SPCA sends its utmost condolences to the child’s family and will keep them in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. The loss of a child is something that no parent, family member or friend has to endure, and all the loved ones have our utmost sympathy,” the organisation said in a post.
The SPCA pleaded with pet owners to surrender dogs that could be a danger to the community or family.
