This came to light in Parliament following a question posed by Kgatleng Central Member of Parliament (MP), Mpho Morolong. The legislator had asked the Minister of Lands and Agriculture if he is not considering banning the domestic rearing of pit bull dogs due to safety concerns. In response, the Minister of Water and Human Settlement Onnetse Ramogapi clarified this week that the existing laws relating to Animal Health and Production do not provide for banning of any specific dog breed.
"The current laws relating to Animal Health and Production do not provide for banning of any specific dog breeds,” Ramogapi said on behalf of acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti. He explained that Botswana’s legal framework governing animals, like the Diseases of Animals Act, the Cruelty to Animals Act, and the Livestock Improvement Act, focuses wholly on disease control, animal welfare, and livestock development, rather than restrictions on particular breeds. “The Diseases of Animals Act provides for control of animal diseases, whilst the Cruelty to Animals Act serves to protect animal welfare,” Ramogapi stated, adding that the Livestock Improvement Act aims to enhance the genetic potential, productivity, and health of animals. Morolong’s enquiry comes at a time when there are growing safety concerns in the country and globally around certain dog breeds, including pit bulls which maim and kill people annually.
