Bloemfontein woman convicted after pitbull kills young boy
The Bloemfontein Regional Court found Keabetswe Moroane guilty of culpable homicide. This comes after Moroane's Pitbull dog mauled her neighbour's 8-year-old son to death on 12 November 2022.
According to a media statement by the NPA, Moroane owned three dogs. One of the dogs, a Pitbull, had a known history of aggressive behaviour. Residents reported that it terrorised the neighbourhood on numerous occasions.
On 12 November 2022, the Pitbull allegedly broke out and entered the neighbours' property. The dog reportedly went into the garage, where the boy was playing, and attacked him. The child died at the scene from severe injuries.
The NPA argued that Moroane acted negligently given the complaints from various community members. The court stated that she had a duty to protect the residents from potential harm but failed to care.
The court postponed the case until 2 September 2025 for sentencing.
The NPA said that this case serves as a reminder and warning to dog owners. It said that owners should consider the danger animals pose.
The NPA stated that dog owners have a legal responsibility to ensure that the individuals around them are safe
'When negligence results in injury or death, the justice system must act decisively to protect the public and hold the responsible parties accountable,' the statement said.
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