According to police spokesperson Amanda Funani, the deceased was attacked by a single pit bull in Mogwase at a tavern early this morning.

She says according to information at their disposal, the owner of the tavern had just locked the gates of the premises and released his dogs, including the pit bull in question.

The 39-year-old is said to have jumped back into the premises moments before he was attacked by the pit bull, which was in the presence of the other dogs whose breed is unknown at this stage.

Funani says the police in the area have since opened an inquest docket, but no one has been arrested following the incident.

Following this report by the police, the community contradicted the police.

One of the community members, who has since shared a voice note describing the incident, alleges that the deceased had fallen asleep around a certain area within the premises.

He says the deceased was attacked by the "pit bulls" after the owner released them into the tavern's yard.

His statement is contrary to the information given to the police that the deceased jumped back into the tavern's premises.

Whilst responding to this statement, Funani told OFM News that information at their disposal indicated that the deceased jumped back into the premises.

The pit bull attack has since caused much talk across central South Africa and the rest of the country following two pit bull attacks in the Free State.

On Sunday, 20 November 2022, OFM News reported that two pit bulls attacked and killed 3-year-old Keketso Saule in Pomolong near Hennenman.

ALSO READ: BREAKING NEWS: Another child attacked and killed by a Pit Bull in the Free State

Before this incident, an 8-year-old school pupil from Roseview Primary in Bloemfontein, Olebogeng Mosime, was attacked by their neighbour’s pit bull in Vista Park on Saturday, 12 November 2022.

ALSO READ: Pit bull attacks, kills child

Following these attacks, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has removed more than 40 pit bulls across Bloemfontein.

This has since prompted strong reactions from politicians and community members who were left fuming after the attacks in the province.

Whilst addressing mourners at the funeral of Mosime in Bloemfontein recently, Deputy Mayor of Mangaung Metro Municipality, Mapaseka Mothibi-Nkoane, told those who were in attendance that strict measures lie ahead for pet owners in the Metro, as the municipality moves to implement certain municipal by-laws for dog owners.

Nkoane-Mothibi said as of January 2023 the city would require dog owners to have a licence and to have some form of training to be the owners of any type of dog.

ALSO READ: 'No one will own a dog without a licence from January 2023'

An ANC councillor of ward 19 in the Metro Municipality, Peter Qondile, also revealed that residents had been warned to keep their dogs on a tight leash prior to the pit bull attack in Vista Park.

Qondile said just weeks before Mosime’s neighbours' pit bull attacked him, they had circulated a message on their community WhatsApp group, warning those with dogs to keep them at bay for everyone's safety.

ALSO READ: 'Residents were warned about stray dogs prior to pit bull attack'

The call by Mothibi-Nkoane received support from the Free State Premier, Sisi Ntombela.

ALSO READ: Free State Premier supports licensing Mangaung's dogs

This is a developing story.

OFM News