Man Dies After Being Mauled by Employer’s Pit Bull

Police in Mpumalanga, South Africa, have launched an inquest following the fatal mauling of a 58-year-old man by his employer’s pit bull in Marapyane, Mmametlhake, during the early hours of Friday, October 18.

According to police spokesperson Col. Donald Mdhluli, the victim, who lived on his employer’s property and was responsible for caring for the pit bulls, was attacked when he returned from an outing late Thursday night.

The dogs, which were typically confined and only released between 1 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. to patrol the premises, reportedly turned on him as he re-entered the property.

“It is suspected that he was attacked by the dog as he returned, resulting in his death,” Mdhluli said.

The man’s lifeless body was found by a security guard, with the pit bull still in the vicinity. Medical personnel who arrived at the scene pronounced him dead and confirmed that he had sustained multiple visible injuries from the attack.

The employer promptly notified authorities. When the police arrived, they found the man’s body motionless with significant injuries. The pit bull responsible for the attack was subsequently euthanized by the SPCA on Saturday, October 19.

Mpumalanga’s acting provincial police commissioner, Maj-Gen Zeph Mkhwanazi, extended his condolences to the family of the deceased and urged calm while authorities carry out their investigation.