'Understand the genetics': Expert calls for better regulation of pitbulls

Pitbull trainer Edmund Neethling says a strong trust relationship between an owner and their pet is essential to regulating canine behaviour.

This follows the death of Mitchell's Plain resident Faziela Swartz, who succumbed to her injuries in hospital last week after being attacked by her two pitbulls last month.

Neethling says better regulation of breeding practices is needed to ensure that a dog’s lineage can be tracked.

"It’s not just for pitbulls, but for all power breeds. Do you really need the dog? Have you done any research on the dog? Do you understand the genetics in the dog? Do you understand what it was actually bred for?"