SWAKOPMUND – The police say a pitbull that was shot and killed in Swakopmund over the weekend was shot after its owner allegedly instructed it to attack a police officer during a stop-and-search operation in Mondesa.
The police response follows public outcry over the killing of the canine, named Mufasa. Senior Inspector Judith Shomongula said officers were conducting a random stop-and-search operation when the dog’s owner, Christian Petrus, was stopped while walking with the animal.
Petrus allegedly refused to cooperate and instructed the dog to attack an officer who was part of the operation.
“The man allegedly shouted, ‘Vat hom, Mufasa!’ before the dog chased the officer, who fired his service firearm,” Shomongula said.
According to a poster released by the family, Petrus was walking with Mufasa to a friend’s house when they were stopped by police. The family claims that about 20 officers approached them and that Petrus was asked to tie the dog to a pole before being searched.
In a live broadcast, Petrus said officers searched his body, but found nothing. He also alleged that they touched his private parts during the search. Petrus said he had warned the officers that Mufasa could react if they handled him roughly, explaining that the dog was with him 24 hours a day and that he knew how it would respond.
The family alleges that the confrontation escalated, and that Mufasa broke free and ran towards his owner before an officer shot him.
The poster further alleges that the dog was chopped twice in the head with a panga before being shot.
Police have also released footage showing Mufasa attacking a smaller dog while a man attempts to restrain him by holding his collar.
The smaller dog appears to be covered in blood. Petrus (44) appeared in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was granted bail of N$1 000. The case was postponed to 19 November. He faces a charge of contravening section 6 (a), read with sections 1, 10.1 and 10.3 of the municipal bylaws published under notice 3019 of 15 July 2003. Police investigations are ongoing. -edeklerk@nepc.com.na
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