South African woman convicted of culpable homicide after her Pitbull mauled neighbour’s son to death

Thursday, July 24, 2025 - The Bloemfontein Regional Court in South Africa has convicted a woman, Keabetswe Moroane (43) of culpable homicide following the tragic d3ath of her neighbour’s 8-year-old son, who was mauled by her pitbull on 12 November 2022. 

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in a statement on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 said Morane will be sentenced in September. 

Moroane owned three dogs, one of which was a Pitbull known for its aggressive behaviour and which had reportedly terrorised residents in the area on several previous occasions. 

Despite repeated complaints and efforts by both Moroane and her neighbours to restrain the dog such as installing fences and wooden poles she failed to maintain adequate structures to ensure the animal was securely contained.

On the day of the incident, due to her failure to maintain those safety measures, the Pitbull broke free from her yard, entered a neighbouring property, and viciously attacked the young boy while he was playing in the garage. The child d!ed at the scene from severe injuries sustained during the mauling.

The court found that Moroane had acted negligently by not taking reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm. Given the known history of aggression by the dog and the prior complaints from community members, the court ruled that she had a duty of care to protect others from the potential danger posed by the animal. 

Her failure to act decisively and responsibly directly resulted in the loss of a young life. 

The court convicted her of culpable homicide, and the matter has been postponed to 02 September 2025 for sentencing. A pre-sentencing report has been requested by the defence.

“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the conviction and commends the efforts of the investigating and prosecution teams,” the statement reads. 

“The NPA also extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, who have suffered an unimaginable loss. This case serves as a somber reminder that owners of dangerous animals have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure the safety of those around them. When negligence results in injury or death, the justice system must act decisively to protect the public and hold the responsible parties accountable."