South African & Canadian dog attack deaths illustrate growing global crisis

Under-reporting also evident in South Africa

            STELLALANDER-VRYBURG,  South Africa;  WELSHTOWN,  Nova Scotia––The January 2,  2026 pit bull attack death of an as yet unnamed 39-year-old Pakistani citizen in Vryburg,  South Africa,  and the January 3,  2026 death of 13-year-old Drew Nickerson in Welshtown,  Nova Scotia,  Canada,  fatally mauled by two Cane Corsos and a Rottweiler,  come as grim reminders that the dangerous dog breed pandemic afflicting the U.S. in the first quarter of the 21st century has spread worldwide.

Further,  in much of the world,  as in the U.S.,  the extent of the bloodshed is largely unrecognized because it goes unreported.

Under-reporting

In the U.S.,  as detailed on January 7,  2026 in Dog attack disfigurement data: pit bulls led again in 2025,  almost all dog attack fatalities get some media notice.  Though many accounts omit mention of the breeds of the dogs involved,  and/or omit the names of victims,  ANIMALS 24-7 usually manages to track down the particulars.

Disfigurements,  on the other hand,  go ever more often under-reported as the numbers of attacks rise.  Only 5.8% of disfiguring dog attacks resulting in insurance payouts received news reportage in 2020.  By 2023,  only 2.9% did.

Under-reporting of dog attacks in South Africa appears to extend even to most fatalities,  as came to light after the death of the Pakistani man.

According to the Central News agency,  the victim “was transported to the hospital by Emergency Medical Rescue Services,”  but police were apparently not notified until after the victim died,  more than 24 hours later.

Victim was Pakistani

“The deceased is believed to be a Pakistani national who was allegedly renting a room or living as a tenant at the premises where the attack occurred,”  Central News said.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that this was not the first alleged incident involving the same dogs attacking tenants at the property,”  Central News continued.  “A related case is reportedly pending and is scheduled to be heard at the local Magistrates’ Court in February.”

The attacking pit bulls were reportedly euthanized after the fatality,  following “consultation with the owner.  No arrests have been made at this stage,  and an inquest is being investigated,”  police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane told media.

50 or 100 fatal dog attacks per year”

Continued Central News,  “In a country where dog attacks claim over 100 lives each year – many from breeds like pit bulls known for their strength – this case adds to calls for stricter laws on dangerous pets.

Detailed Central News,  without citing a data source,  “Owners of dangerous breeds have a duty to control them under SA’s Animal Matters Act, with fines or jail for negligence leading to harm. In 2025,  over 200 owners were charged for similar failures nationwide,  showing growing accountability.

“South Africa sees over 1,000 serious dog attacks yearly,  with 100 fatal – 60% from pit bulls or mixes,”  Central News said,  later revising the death toll down to 50.

“Children under 10 make up 40% of victims,”  Central News added. 

“In 2025,  new bylaws in provinces like Gauteng required registration for dangerous breeds, cutting incidents by 15%,”  Central News claimed,  still without citing a source.

Whether the correct number of South African dog attack fatalities per year is 100,  or just 50,  the toll is almost certainly much higher than the 67 of which ANIMALS 24-7 has obtained documentation since 2004.

(See South African dog attack deaths, 2004-present.)

Nova Scotia 13-year-old

Geographical proximity––and having many Canadian readers to augment our own eyes and ears––makes logging Canadian dog attack fatalities and disfigurements much easier,  but that scarcely makes the particulars any easier to absorb.

Thirteen-year-old Drew Nickerson was just “riding his bicycle past a property” near his home in Welshtown,  Nova Scotia,  Andrea Jerrett reported for CTV News,  “when he was mauled by three ‘large-breed dogs.’

“The boy suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to hospital in Halifax,  where he later died.

“The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed that the dogs involved in the attack were two Cane Corsos and a Rottweiler. They have all been euthanized by a veterinarian.

“There is no word at this time as to whether the dog owners will face charges,”  Jarrett finished.

U.S. & international updates

Specifics of the U.S. dangerous dog breed pandemic were updated on January 6 and 7,  2026 in Record dog attack & pit bull attack death count in 2025 for 4th year in a row and Dog attack disfigurement data: pit bulls led again in 2025.

Details of the mayhem in other nations are accessible at  Pit bulls abroad: Australia, Brazil,  Canada,  Egypt,  France,  India,  Ireland,  Philippines,  South Africa,  South America,  United Kingdom.

ANIMALS 24-7 has kept a log of dog attack fatalities in the United Kingdom since 1991,  accessible here:  United Kingdom dog attack fatalities, 1991-present.

While the breed-specific log of dog attack fatalities in the U.S. and Canada we have kept since 1992 combines the data for both nations,  since the U.S. and Canada form an ecological and cultural continuum,  we have also kept a separate Canadian log since 2004:  Fatal & disfiguring dog attacks in Canada, 2004-present.

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