Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
THE Mwadzinga community in Chipinge is reeling in shock after a suspected rabid dog went on a rampage in broad daylight, savagely attacking nine children aged between three and nine years.
The terrifying incident unfolded recently while many parents were away attending a funeral.
Health authorities have since scrambled to contain what could become a rabies outbreak.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the attacks, revealing that a wandering female dog indiscriminately bit children at different points across the village, plunging the community into panic.
Police are now working closely with health officials to ensure the victims receive urgent medical care.
All nine children are undergoing post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)—a series of injections designed to prevent rabies if administered promptly after exposure.
Rabies, a viral disease transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
“A suspected rabid greyish female dog went on a rampage in Chipinge rural, biting nine children aged between three and nine years. The attacks occurred at various locations in the village and resulted in moderate injuries,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He added that seven of the victims have been identified, while efforts are underway with community leaders to trace the remaining two.
“At present, seven of the victims have been identified, while efforts are underway to establish the remaining two children, who were also attacked. A message has already been relayed within the village for the unidentified victims to urgently present themselves at Chipinge District Hospital for treatment,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He said most of the children were at home unattended when the incident occurred, as their parents and guardians had gone to attend a local villager’s funeral. “When the incident happened, most parents had left their children at home while attending a funeral in the same community. Information about the vicious dog later reached some mourners, prompting villagers to immediately mobilise and search for the rabid dog,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He said villagers eventually tracked down the dog, killed it, and buried it in the village before authorities were notified.
“A village search party was formed, and the dog was eventually located, killed and buried. However, this was done before veterinary and police investigations could be carried out,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He said suspicion later fell on a 58-year-old A1 farmer from the same village, Takavada Zhou whose female dog was reportedly missing around the time of the attacks, although he has denied ownership of the one responsible. “Information later emerged that Zhou’s female dog was missing from home. When engaged, Zhou confirmed that his dog was missing, but disputed claims that it was the same dog which attacked the children. Despite this denial, some parents are attributing responsibility to him,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka, adding that police are continuing with their investigations to establish the owner of the dog and determine accountability.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is still conducting further investigations to establish the true ownership of the dog and the circumstances surrounding the attack. No conclusions have been reached at this stage,” he said.
Following the incident, parents of the injured children reportedly struggled to secure medical assistance, prompting them to alert the Chipinge District Veterinary Services Department.
“This matter was brought to the attention of veterinary authorities, who in turn engaged the District Development Coordinator, leading to the activation of the District Civil Protection Committee,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He said a multi-sectoral reaction team comprising the Veterinary Services Department, police and the Ministry of Health and Child Care was dispatched to Mwadzinga Village.
“A Civil Protection Committee reaction team was deployed to the area, and the remains of the buried dog were exhumed for purposes of laboratory testing. Samples were taken and will be sent to Harare for laboratory analysis to establish whether the dog was infected with rabies,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said the test results were expected within seven working days after submission.
“The purpose of the laboratory tests is to scientifically ascertain whether the dog was indeed rabid so that appropriate decisions and public health measures are guided by facts,” he said.
Meanwhile, the injured children have begun receiving post-exposure rabies vaccinations at Chipinge District Hospital, with authorities stepping in to ensure treatment is not delayed due to financial constraints.
“The affected children have since started receiving rabies vaccine doses at Chipinge District Hospital. This intervention was extended to save lives, with payment arrangements to be addressed later,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He said medical officials reported that the children’s injuries were moderate and were healing well, with no symptoms of rabies detected so far. “According to medical practitioners on the ground, none of the affected children is currently showing signs or symptoms of rabies, and the wounds are healing well,” he said.
However, Assistant Inspector Chinyoka issued a stern warning to the public, stressing that rabies is a deadly disease once symptoms manifest.
“Rabies is extremely dangerous. Medical experts have indicated that the incubation period can be up to three weeks, and once symptoms appear before medication is administered, the disease becomes incurable and leads to death within days,” he warned.
He urged communities to take responsibility for their animals and to act swiftly in the event of dog bites.
“We strongly urge dog owners to ensure that their animals are properly vaccinated and restrained at all times. Members of the public must report stray or aggressive dogs immediately and seek medical attention without delay in the event of a dog bite,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He also cautioned against the burial or destruction of suspected rabid animals before authorities are notified.
“Killing and burying suspected rabid animals before investigations complicates disease control and endangers lives. The correct procedure is to alert the police or veterinary officers immediately,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
