A horrifying incident unfolded on Saturday night in the New Bluffhill suburb of Harare, Zimbabwe, where a man in his thirties was fatally attacked by a pitbull belonging to a neighbour. The shocking mauling has left the community in mourning and reignited urgent calls for stricter control over dangerous dog breeds.
Eyewitnesses report that the pitbull—already known in the area for its aggressive behavior—escaped from its owner’s property by leaping over a low perimeter wall.
Residents claim the dog had been seen several times in the past roaming the streets unrestrained, with multiple complaints lodged about its threatening presence. Despite these warnings, no preventive action was taken.
Photographs shared on social media show the low “durawall” surrounding the owner’s property—an ineffective barrier against such a powerful breed. Locals argue that the structure was wholly inadequate to contain the dog, particularly given its history of escaping. Several posts have surfaced showing the same dog wandering the neighborhood off-leash, which residents say highlights ongoing negligence.
The attack occurred just outside the property, where the victim sustained severe injuries that ultimately proved fatal. Police arrived at the scene to find the man’s body still present, and an investigation was promptly launched. Meanwhile, community members expressed grief and outrage over what they believe was an entirely preventable death.
“This didn’t need to happen,” one frustrated resident said. “People have been raising alarms about that dog for months. Now a life has been lost, and nothing was done in time.”
Though authorities have yet to release the identity of the deceased, the tragic event has rekindled a broader debate over the regulation of pitbull ownership—both in Zimbabwe and globally.
Pitbull-related incidents have led to public outcry and legislative measures in many countries. In the United Kingdom, pitbulls are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
In the United States, although pitbulls constitute only about 6% of the dog population, they are responsible for over 50% of serious dog bite injuries, according to public health data.
While animal behavior experts caution against broadly labeling pitbulls as inherently violent, they do acknowledge the risks associated with the breed’s strength and bite force. When an aggressive episode does occur, the results can be devastating and, as in this case, fatal.
Calls are growing louder for authorities to intervene—not just in the Bluffhill case, but with broader regulations to ensure that dog owners are held accountable and that public safety is not compromised by preventable tragedies.