TimesLIVE reports that police in Mpumalanga have opened an inquest after a 58-year-old man was allegedly mauled to death by his employer’s pit bull.

According to police spokesperson Col Donald Mdhluli, the incident happened in Marapyane, Mmametlhake in the early hours of Friday. The man apparently lived on his employer’s property and took care of his pit bulls. The dogs are believed to have been often locked up and only released between 1am and 4.30am to patrol the premises. “It is believed the man went for an outing on Thursday and probably as he returned to his accommodation in the early hours of Friday, it is suspected that he was attacked by the dog, resulting in his death,” Mdhluli indicated. He said the deceased was discovered by a security guard lying motionless on the ground with multiple injuries and a pit bull next to him. “The employer was notified and reported the matter to the authorities. On arrival at the scene, they found him motionless, lying on the ground with some visible injuries on his body. He was certified dead by the medical personnel. The report indicates that the SPCA put down the dog in question on Saturday,” Mdhluli stated.

• Read the original of the short report in the above regard at TimesLIVE

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page