The Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962 is the primary legislation governing the welfare of animals in South Africa. While the act does not specifically address dangerous pets, it does make it an offense to cause any unnecessary suffering to an animal or allow an animal to be in distress.

In addition to the Animal Protection Act, certain municipalities in South Africa may have bylaws that regulate dangerous pets. For example, some municipalities may require owners of certain dog breeds, such as pit bulls, to register their dogs and comply with certain requirements, such as keeping their dogs on a leash and muzzled in public.

It is also worth noting that South Africa has a common law principle of strict liability when it comes to pet owners. This means that if a pet causes harm to a person or property, the owner may be held liable regardless of whether they were negligent or not. Overall, while there may not be specific legislation in South Africa that addresses dangerous pets, there are still legal avenues that can be pursued if a pet owner fails to exercise proper caution and their pet causes harm.