A Harare man, Mike Mupinga, has been arrested after his pit bulls allegedly mauled a neighbor, Samuel Machara, to death. The incident has sparked a heated debate about whether Zimbabwe should ban the breed. Many are calling for a total ban, citing the dogs’ history of being bred for bloodsports.
Animal behaviorist Rudo Nyamutsamba says pit bulls were never designed to be family pets, and keeping them in urban areas without proper control is reckless. Some residents are pushing for legislation similar to breed-specific laws in the UK and Australia.
However, not everyone agrees. Dog lovers argue that training, not breed, determines a dog’s behavior. Some are defending Boerboels, saying they’re not the problem. “Any dog can kill if it’s not trained or controlled,” writes @DogMumZim.
The debate rages on, with some calling for specific bans and others advocating for responsible pet ownership. One thing is clear: the incident has left the community shaken and demanding action.
The Debate Heats Up
“Enough is enough. These dogs have no place in urban neighborhoods.” – @JusticeForSam
“Leave Boerboels out of this. It’s the training, not the breed.” – @DogMumZim
“Pit bulls were bred for fighting. They’re a ticking time bomb.” – Rudo Nyamutsamba
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