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Loveness Bepete Chronicle Reporter
THE Bulawayo City Council has shot 160 stray dogs to curb the spread of rabies in the city. Council is conducting an operation code named “Tie up Order” in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Department of Veterinary Services as well as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
The operation began on February 23 and is expected to end on April 22. BCC Assistant Health Services Director Dr Edwin Sibanda said the local authority had resumed the operation after temporarily suspending it due to a shortage of bullets.
“We’ve shot a total of 160 dogs and we hope to shoot more stray dogs. We had stopped this operation due to a shortage of bullets but we’ve resumed work. We realise that we now have a few stray dogs in the city which is good,” Dr Sibanda said.
Earlier this month, the local authority revealed that more than 15 dogs had been shot in Cowdray Park alone.
In a statement when the operation began last month, BCC acting town clerk, Sikhangele Zhou advised residents and dog owners to take note of the city’s dog and licensing control by laws.
Zhou said there was an increasing number of rabies-positive dogs and people who are bitten by stray dogs in the city, but she did not give statistics.
She said that dogs should be kept in securely fenced premises only and should be vaccinated.
“Dog owners and the general public are hereby advised that in terms of the Bulawayo Dog Licensing and Control by-laws, no person shall keep in the council area more than two dogs on any property measuring less than 2,000 cubic metres. No person shall allow his dogs to roam outside his premises without restrain,” Zhou said.
“Dogs shall only be kept where the property is securely fenced or walled and gated. Hedge is not permissible. Dogs within council area shall be vaccinated against rabies and licensed.”
Matabeleland North Department of Veterinary Services provincial head, Dr Polex Moyo recently told The Chronicle that rabies was one of the re-emerging diseases and people should pay great attention to it.
“Risk of rabies is too high especially in towns and growth points. People should know that it’s preventable and not treatable,” he said.
Dr Moyo said two people died of rabies in Tsholotsho in February.
“Vaccination costs a dollar and members of the public should ensure that their dogs are vaccinated at the age of three months and annually thereafter,” he said.
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