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Mashudu Mambo
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC), has addressed concerns raised by Pumula South residents, by ordering a family in the suburb, which owns vicious dogs that have been terrorising the community, to pay a fine and remain with two dogs in their property.
BCC corporate communications manager Nesisa Mpofu said inspectors found three dogs on the property and the owner was fined.
“The City of Bulawayo investigates all dog bite notices, takes remedial action and educates the public on requirements for dogs to be vaccinated, licensed and be kept confined on secure premises.
“In the Pumula South incident, three dogs were found and all were vaccinated, the yard is walled and gated. The owner was fined for letting the dogs out of the premises and was ordered to remove an extra dog,” said Mpofu.
She said that the maximum number of dogs allowed in a particular house are determined by the size of the property.
“There should be a maximum of two dogs on properties measuring 2 000 square meters and below,” said Mpofu.
Two weeks ago, a resident from Pumula South was attacked by the three vicious dogs, sustaining a large scar on the leg.
A resident, Fanyana Mutamba, said his father was bitten while trying to rescue him from the dogs.
“On 1 April, around 9pm, I encountered three dogs while walking home from accompanying a friend. They seemed aggressive and ready to attack.
“One of them, a German Shepherd, charged towards me. I panicked and climbed a nearby precast wall to escape. Hearing the commotion, my father rushed outside. The dogs attacked him before I could warn him. It was horrific and he was left with a horrific scar on his leg, and he bled profusely,” said Mutamba.
Stanley Ndlovu, chairman of Section C in Pumula South, said they needed a solution to deal with the vicious dogs.
“We demand that these dogs should be taken away from our area because they pose a serious threat to our wives and children. In fear of dog attacks, the community is now monitoring their children and barring them from leaving the house.
“These dogs are curtailing our freedom of movement in the area. We urge the dog owner’s eviction. This family arrived in December and is already causing chaos, disrupting the tranquillity we once enjoyed as a community,” complained Ndlovu.
He added that this incident was not the first, underlining the need for immediate action to address this recurring problem.
Meanwhile, BCC also intends to introduce a “tie-up order” where stray dogs will be shot, as part of efforts by the local authority to reduce the spread of rabies and control the growing population of dogs roaming the streets.
According to the latest council minutes, Ward 29 Councillor Rowen Sekete raised concerns on the increase in the number of stray dogs in the city and sought clarification on why the stray dogs were not being shot.
In response to concerns about the proposed dog cull, Director of Health Services, Dr Edwin Sibanda, explained that the number of stray dogs had increased.
“The last tie-up order was done three years ago. Considerations were being made for a tie-up order. A number of stakeholders were being engaged,” he explained.
Packs of vicious dogs are often seen in almost all residential suburbs, roaming aimlessly and scavenging for food.
Online Reporter