Online Reporter
Peter Matika [email protected]
BULAWAYO recorded 509 dog-bite cases between January and July, raising concerns over stray and uncontrolled dogs and prompting health authorities to urge residents to seek immediate medical treatment after any bite or scratch.
According to the latest Bulawayo City Council health report, the city recorded 92 cases in January, 77 in February, 65 in March, 87 in April, 59 in May, 60 in June and 69 in July.
The figures have heightened concern over dog control and the potential threat of rabies, with authorities urging residents to report attacks to the police and seek prompt medical attention.
While no rabies cases have been recorded so far, the council stressed the importance of responsible pet ownership, routine vaccination of animals and timely treatment following exposure to potentially infected dogs.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has also warned residents against taking dog attacks lightly.
SPCA animal inspector Mr Allison Sibanda said victims should report dog attacks to the police, who provide the documentation required to access treatment.
“Residents who are bitten or attacked by dogs should report the matter to the police. The police provide documentation which is required when accessing anti-rabies treatment,” he said.
Of the 69 dog-bite cases reported in July, 13 involved vaccinated dogs, while 37 involved dogs whose vaccination status was unknown.
The council report, however, contains a discrepancy regarding the number of unvaccinated dogs, listing 18 in the narrative and 19 in the accompanying table.
The statistics show that more than half of the dogs involved in July attacks had an unknown vaccination status, highlighting concerns about vaccination coverage and responsible dog ownership.
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is usually transmitted through the saliva of infected animals via bites or scratches. Although preventable through prompt treatment, it is almost always fatal once symptoms develop.
According to the World Health Organisation, dogs account for up to 99 percent of human rabies cases globally, with children among the most vulnerable victims. Children are often less able to defend themselves during attacks and are more likely to suffer serious injuries to the head, face and neck.
The WHO advises anyone bitten or scratched by a potentially infected animal to immediately wash the affected area with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes before seeking urgent medical attention.
Treatment may include rabies vaccination and, where necessary, rabies immunoglobulin, depending on the severity of the exposure and a medical assessment of the victim.
Health experts warn that victims should never wait for symptoms to appear before seeking treatment, as the disease is almost invariably fatal once clinical signs emerge.
Residents have also been urged not to delay medical care while trying to locate the animal involved in an attack.
The latest figures have renewed concerns over dog control, responsible pet ownership and the management of stray animals in residential suburbs.
Dog owners are expected to ensure their animals are properly confined, vaccinated and prevented from roaming freely. Uncontrolled dogs pose a significant risk to pedestrians, schoolchildren and residents, particularly in communities where children walk to school or play in public spaces.
Under Bulawayo’s municipal by-laws, dog owners are required to license and vaccinate their pets and ensure they are properly restrained within residential properties.
The by-laws also empower the local authority to impound stray or dangerous dogs found roaming in public areas.
In recent years, the Bulawayo City Council has faced growing challenges linked to increasing numbers of stray dogs, illegal breeding activities and non-compliance with animal-control regulations.
As part of efforts to address the problem, the council periodically implements a “Tie-Up Order”, an enforcement exercise targeting negligent dog owners.
The order requires residents to restrain their animals, vaccinate them against rabies and limit ownership to a maximum of two dogs on properties measuring less than 2 000 square metres.
Under the operation, stray dogs found roaming public streets may be destroyed as the council seeks to reduce dog attacks and minimise the risk of rabies transmission.
