Online Reporter
Online Reporter
CHITUNGWIZA residents could soon see tighter enforcement of municipal by-laws following growing concern over the increasing number of dogs roaming the streets, amid fears over public safety and attacks on schoolchildren.
The issue came under the spotlight at a recent full council meeting where proportional representation councillor Betty Jasoni called on the local authority to urgently address the problem, warning that uncontrolled dogs were becoming a serious threat to residents.
Clr Jasoni urged council to strengthen enforcement of existing by-laws regulating dog ownership and immediately engage the SPCA Kennels and Animal Hospital to assist in rounding up stray animals roaming across residential areas.
“We are witnessing an increasing number of dogs roaming freely in our communities and this is now posing a danger to residents, especially schoolchildren,” said Cllr Jasoni.
“Some households are keeping large numbers of dogs without proper control measures, while others simply allow them to wander in the streets.
“Council must strictly enforce its by-laws and work closely with the SPCA to remove stray dogs from our suburbs.”
She said reports from residents indicated that schoolchildren were being chased and harassed by dogs while walking to and from school, creating fear among parents and communities.
“As councillors, we are receiving complaints from concerned residents almost daily. Children are being intimidated on their way to school and some residents are now afraid to walk freely in their own neighbourhoods,” she said.
“We cannot continue to ignore this issue because it directly affects public safety and health.”
Cllr Jasoni also called for public awareness campaigns to educate residents on responsible pet ownership, including vaccination, confinement and proper care of domestic animals.
“There must also be education for dog owners. Keeping pets comes with responsibility. Residents must understand that dogs should not be left to roam freely because this endangers other people,” she said.
The councillor further proposed that the council review and tighten regulations relating to the number of dogs permitted per household in high-density suburbs.
“There should be proper regulation on the number of dogs households can keep, particularly in densely populated areas where space is limited,” she said.
