A series of pit bull attacks leaves 3 children and their mother dead in a fortnight amid calls to ban the breed

A series of horrific pit bull attacks across South Africa left three children and a mother dead this month, with more than 132,000 people sign national petition calling for dogs to be banned

A brutal series of horror pit bull attacks left four dead, including three children aged eight or younger (file photo) (

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A gruesome series of pit bull attacks that saw three children and a mother mauled to death in just two weeks sparked a national petition calling for the breed to be banned.

The spate of mutilations in South Africa has led to revenge attacks, with pit bulls fearing they are dangerous being poisoned, stoned, stabbed and set on fire.

As the furor grows, more than 132,000 people have signed a nationwide petition to the government to end dogs being used to guard homes across the country.

Eight-year-old Olebogeng Mosime was playing in his garden in Bloemfontein, one of South Africa's three capitals, when his neighbour's dog brutalized him.

After jumping over the fence, he grabbed the boy by the neck and dragged him across the garden, tearing him apart. The dog only let go when he was beaten by men with shovels.

Olebogeng Mosime, 8, was one of four victims killed in recent weeks (

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