adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
THE Bulawayo City Council has said it will shoot to kill all stray dogs found on the streets following an increase in the number of dog bites cases in the city. Ninety dog bites cases were recorded in the first three months of the year, up from 62 over the same period last year.
According to the latest council minutes, the Director of Health Services, Dr Zanele Hwalima, told councillors that stray dogs continue to be a menace in Bulawayo.
“From January to March 2016, 90 dog bites had been recorded compared to 62 recorded in the same period in 2015 which was the period when the Tie Up Order was being enforced,” said Dr Hwalima.
She said it was important for residents to confine their dogs to their premises to prevent the spread of diseases such as rabies.
Dr Hwalima said council has started informing residents about the council’s decision to kill all unconfined dogs.
“All dogs that were found loose on the streets or which were being kept in violation of the Bulawayo (Dog Licensing and Control) By-laws will be shot. The Department will carry out this exercise in conjunction with the Department of Veterinary Services and the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Prior to carrying out this exercise, members of the public will be advised of the impending shooting of unrestrained dogs through adverts in newspapers, posters at council premises and through the council SMS service,” she said.
Dr Hwalima said the exercise would cost council $7,000.
The shoot to kill policy was endorsed by the councillors who said there was a likelihood that stray dogs were not vaccinated, raising the risk of a rabies outbreak.
Online Reporter