A tragic incident unfolded last night in the New Bluffhill suburb of Harare when a man in his thirties was mauled to death by a pitbull, leaving the local community in shock and mourning. The vicious dog attack occurred after the pitbull, reportedly known for its aggressive tendencies, escaped its owner’s poorly secured yard.
This fatal attack has reignited nationwide debate about the safety of owning pitbulls in residential areas, especially when prior complaints about the animal had gone unheeded.
Residents of Bluffhill have confirmed that the dog responsible for this horrific attack had shown signs of aggression long before last night’s tragedy. Multiple neighbours reported that the pitbull frequently jumped over the home’s low perimeter wall and roamed the streets of Bluffhill unaccompanied.
Photos circulating on social media show the pitbull off-leash in public areas on several occasions, despite community efforts to alert the dog’s owner and urge tighter control. Concerns were also voiced over the owner’s failure to improve the enclosure or restrain the dog, which many now believe could have prevented the fatal mauling.
“We’ve seen that dog wandering the streets several times. We asked the owner to do something, but nothing ever changed. Now someone has died.”
Victim Identified at the Scene of Harare Pitbull Attack
At the time of reporting, police investigators remained at the scene in New Bluffhill, collecting evidence and speaking to witnesses. The victim, who has not yet been formally identified, was found near the gate of his residence. A neighbour claimed to have seen him at the same location just hours before the attack occurred.
Eyewitnesses described a disturbing scene of chaos and horror as emergency services arrived too late to save the man’s life. Calls are growing for law enforcement and animal control authorities to act swiftly, with many residents demanding that the dog be put down immediately.
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The Bluffhill community is demanding justice, not only for the victim but also to prevent future attacks. Local residents have petitioned the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and animal control agencies to take strict action against the pitbull’s owner, who may face charges of criminal negligence or culpable homicide.
As the remains in custody, the public is calling for it to be euthanized due to its history of aggression and now a fatal attack. There is also growing pressure to implement stricter laws regarding the ownership of dangerous breeds like pitbulls.
This incident in Harare echoes similar tragedies around the world. International statistics consistently point to pitbulls as one of the most dangerous dog breeds in terms of fatal attacks and serious injuries.
In the United States, pitbulls account for more than 50% of serious dog bite-related injuries and fatalities, despite representing only 6% of the national dog population. The United Kingdom has gone as far as to ban the breed entirely under the Dangerous Dogs Act, citing repeated attacks and the breed’s potential for severe harm.
While not every pitbull is inherently dangerous, experts in animal behavior stress that the breed’s powerful build and bite force make any act of aggression particularly deadly. Dr. Naomi Zulu, an animal behavior specialist, noted:
“Pitbulls can be loving and loyal companions under the right conditions. However, once they attack, the damage is often catastrophic due to their strength and persistence.”
