Dad forced to stab pet pit bull during vicious attack on family before iftar

A VERULAM family are lucky to be alive after they were viciously mauled by their pet pit bull, as they were preparing meals for iftar to break their fast for Ramadaan.

- MONISHKA GOVENDER monishka.govender.inl.co.za

The father was forced to take drastic action by stabbing the dog in its chest to save his family members during a sudden attack, which started on their 10-year-old child.

While social media critics condemned the family's actions, the Pit Bull Federation of South Africa (PBFSA) has defended them, stating they had no choice in what became a "kill or be killed situation".

Four members of the Parkgate family the father, mother, grandfather and child sustained serious injuries after they were mauled by the dog.

The family did not want to be named or interviewed.

When approached by the POST reporter at their home, the mother said they had come under heavy criticism on social media for stabbing the dog in the chest.

"This was our pet. But we had no choice. We are still struggling to come to terms that our dog is no longer with us," she said.

Reaction Unit SA head, Prem Balram, said his officers and paramedics arrived at the scene where they found members of a family with extensive injuries.