Story by Patience Nyagato
A 39-year-old man was mauled to death by a pit bull in New Bluffhill, Harare, this weekend, an incident that has shocked and angered residents in the low-density suburb.
The shocking incident that reads like a horror movie, the tragic death of Samuel Machara to a pit bull attack has irked residents in New Bluffhill, who are failing to contain the incident.
Residents suspect the vicious dog, which woke up with visible blood stains on its mouth this Sunday morning, could have skipped its owners’ perimeter wall, which is barely standard enough to contain the aggressive dogs.
They noted they had approached the owner over the brutal dogs, notorious for their aggression, but their concerns had been met with spite.
“These dogs have been a menace. They have been getting out for a while now. Something terrible was bound to happen,” a resident said.
“I recount a terrifying experience with the same dogs while walking my children to school. It’s grace that I didn’t die, because we screamed until they went away,” another added.
Samuel’s aunt, Agnes Kubenda, expressed the family’s deep sorrow, adding they are heartbroken by the brutal loss.
“We are saddened. Samuel did not deserve to die like this. I last saw him around 10 at night when he was smoking out of the house. I only woke up to a call from neighbours who saw him lying lifeless just next to the house where they have pit bulls.”
The family is now calling on dog owners in the area to take better responsibility for their pets.
The owner of the vicious dogs refused to comment.
Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.
“A life has been lost after a man was mauled to death by a pit bull kept by a suspect. There were no safeguards or security measures in place to prevent the dogs from escaping, posing a public risk,” he said.
“We assure the public that the law will take its course, without fear or favour. We urge all dog owners to adhere to the country’s laws, which require that dogs are kept under control and do not stray. Additionally, ownership of pit bulls requires the necessary clearances as stipulated by law.”
This latest incident adds to the growing number of deaths of people mauled to death by pit bulls, after a case reported earlier this year of a Sunningdale man killed by his own pit bulls.
