J'Something forced to clarify dog breed after receiving pit bull hate online

Emotions are high in parts of South Africa following a spate of pit bull attacks. Singer J'Something found himself in the crossfire after sharing a picture of himself and his dog. 

The 'Chocolat' hitmaker shared the image at the weekend seemingly unaware that a storm was brewing online after another pit bull attack in the Free State.

A three-year-old was mauled to death by two pit bulls in Hennenman. The boy had been playing in a yard with other children at the time. He sadly died at the scene. 

Irate community members attacked the dogs with stones. The SPCA was called to the scene but was chased away. One of the dogs escaped and was removed by the SPCA. The other dog was killed by community members. 

The owner of the dogs had to be taken away to safety by the police. The pit bull attack occurred several days after an eight-year-old boy in Bloemfontein was also mauled to death by a pit bull. The dog had allegedly jumped over a fence into a neighbour's yard. 

Scores of people took to social media over the weekend to call for pit bulls to be banned. J'Something found himself in the firing line after sharing a picture of himself sitting next to his dog, which some thought was a pit bull.

ALSO READ: NSPCA calls for introduction of permits to own pit bull as pets

"So low, insensitive and not funny. An innocent child has died. I’m utterly disappointed," one Twitter user commented on J'Something's picture. 

Another user added: "I’d rather you add to knowledge pool on how owners can better train these dogs. Glorifying them after so many deaths by this breed is hardly commendable."

J'Something clarified that his dog was an American Bully XL. The Mi Casa lead singer also revealed that he took his dog to a training camp for eight weeks and continues to train his dog daily.

But that didn't stop people from attacking the star.

"I think just remove this post. It's a bit insensitive and just now another kid has been killed by a pit bull. Granted yours ain't it. But please read the room and do the right thing. Emotions are high," one person commented. 

Another person wrote: "Read the room, yes it might not be one but it sure looks like one. It’s as though you’re mocking the outcry of banning pit bulls by posting this."

But some people came to the singer's defence. 

"So people shouldn't post their pet dogs because a dog of a totally different breed killed someone?"

J'Something shared a follow-up tweet once again clarifying the breed of his dog. 

"I know this probably won’t go anywhere on a platform like this but for those who actually care and for what it’s worth … this dog is NOT A PITBULL." 

ALSO READ: LISTEN: Should pit bulls be banned as pets?

Meanwhile, the EFF is calling for authorities to ban domestic ownership of pit bulls in South Africa. 

"It has become patently clear that pit bulls are not suitable for domestic breeding, especially in conditions that may not be favourable to their existence, such as limited living space," the party said in a statement. 

ALSO READ: Language board slams Charlize Theron over Afrikaans remarks

Main image credit: Instagram/@jsomething