Bulawayo records spike in dog bite cases amid rabies fears

BULAWAYO recorded 65 dog bite cases in March alone, raising growing concern over unvaccinated and uncontrolled dogs roaming the city, amid reports that a local school is allegedly keeping 24 unlicensed dogs on its premises.

Latest Bulawayo City Council (BCC) health surveillance reports show that a significant number of dogs linked to the attacks were either unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status, worsening fears of possible rabies exposure and poor compliance with municipal by-laws.

The figures come against the backdrop of a worrying rise in vicious dog attacks across the country in recent years, some of them fatal, with authorities increasingly raising concern over irresponsible pet ownership and illegal breeding.

Bulawayo has in recent months witnessed a growing number of aggressive and unrestrained dogs, particularly in high-density suburbs, where residents say stray animals and dangerous breeds are becoming a major public safety threat.

Breeds such as Pitbulls, Rottweilers and Bullmastiffs, often kept for security purposes or as status symbols, have a growing public concern over attacks involving poorly controlled animals.

According to a council health report, only 16 dogs linked to the reported bite incidents were confirmed to have been vaccinated against rabies.

Twelve were confirmed unvaccinated, while the vaccination status of 37 others could not be verified.

Council health inspectors investigated all 65 reported dog bite incidents and found that 33 of the dogs involved had not been vaccinated against rabies.

“Twenty-two intimations were issued to non-compliant dog owners. Of particular concern is a case involving a local school where inspectors discovered 24 unlicensed dogs being kept on the school premises,” read the report.

Council said health education campaigns were also conducted to encourage dog owners to vaccinate pets and comply with municipal animal control regulations.

Rabies is one of the world’s deadliest viral diseases once symptoms appear. Urgent medical treatment following a dog bite is critical to prevent infection.

The disease affects the central nervous system and is mainly transmitted through bites or saliva from infected animals, particularly dogs.

Nationally, more than 95,000 dog bite cases were recorded between 2022 and mid-2025, with dozens of fatalities linked to rabies infections.

The rise in Bulawayo’s dog bite cases also comes as the city continues to alert residents over communicable diseases and environmental health threats.

Residents who spoke to Chronicle expressed growing anxiety about packs of stray, aggressive dogs roaming residential areas.

Mrs Thandeka Moyo of Nkulumane said children walking to school were particularly vulnerable.

“Some dogs move around in packs, especially early in the morning and late evenings. We are worried because many children walk alone to school,” she said.

Another resident, Mr Mkhululi Dube, blamed irresponsible pet ownership for the rising number of incidents.

“People keep dogs for security but fail to vaccinate or properly confine them. Council must enforce the by-laws seriously,” he said.

Under Bulawayo’s municipal by-laws, dog owners are required to license and vaccinate their pets while ensuring they are properly restrained within residential premises.

The bylaws also empower the council to impound stray or dangerous dogs found roaming public spaces.

BCC has in recent years struggled with enforcement challenges linked to increasing numbers of stray dogs, illegal breeding operations and non-compliance with animal control regulations.

As part of efforts to contain the growing threat, the council periodically implements a “Tie-Up Order”, an enforcement exercise targeting negligent dog ownership.

The order requires dog owners to restrain their animals, vaccinate them against rabies and limit ownership to a maximum of two dogs on residential properties measuring less than 2,000 square metres.

Under the operation, stray dogs found roaming the streets may be destroyed as the council moves to reduce the risk of attacks and curb the spread of rabies.