Online Reporter
Mashudu Netsianda, Deputy National Editor
ONCE celebrated as loyal protectors and loving companions, dogs are increasingly becoming deadly predators and a threat to the very people they are meant to safeguard.
In recent months, communities across Zimbabwe have been shaken by a disturbing rise in vicious dog attacks, some of them fatal. These incidents have sparked fear, grief, and a public outcry for action. From innocent children playing in their yards to unsuspecting pedestrians going about their day, no one seems safe anymore from what society has long regarded as “man’s best friend.”
In one of the most recent tragedies, a nine-year-old boy from Darwendale in Zvimba District, Mashonaland West, died after being savagely attacked by dogs while playing at Bonvalley Farm. The boy was with other children when the animals pounced, and his life was lost in a flurry of barks, bites, and blood.
Just weeks earlier, a 39-year-old man in Harare’s Bluff Hill suburb was mauled to death by a pit bull. Despite repeated warnings to the dog’s owner, Mike Mupinga (40), residents’ concerns went unheeded until it was too late. Mupinga was subsequently arrested for culpable homicide, and the case remains pending in court.
On the very day Mupinga appeared in court, a schoolboy in the capital narrowly escaped death after being attacked by two Boerboels and a Rottweiler. He sustained bites to the neck, back, and stomach, and was only saved by the brave intervention of kombi passengers.
These are not isolated incidents — they reflect a troubling pattern. Last year, a high-profile case made headlines when Ms Addelis Sibutha, a former senior Government official, was mauled by her own Boerboel at her home. The attack left her with severe injuries, requiring four surgeries in less than a month.
In 2022, John Gavhera of Selbourne Park in Bulawayo became another grim statistic when he was torn apart by his own dogs. The Boerboels, reportedly mistaking him for an intruder, attacked while neighbours watched helplessly.
Cities and towns across Zimbabwe are grappling with a worrying surge in dog bite cases, often involving aggressive and unrestrained animals, many of which are unvaccinated or illegally owned. Breeds such as Pitbulls, Rottweilers, and Bullmastiffs — typically kept for security or status — are at the centre of growing concern.
Bulawayo alone recorded 597 dog bites in 2023 and 751 in 2024, including one death. Between January and June this year, 381 dog bites had already been reported, with six confirmed cases of rabies.
In a recent council report, Bulawayo City Council (BCC)’s Health Services Director, Edwin Sibanda Mzingwane, noted that the city has seen a steady increase in dog bite injuries over the past few years, with 698 injuries and 11 rabies cases recorded in 2022.
“In 2023, there were 597 dog bites, whereas in 2024, there were 751 dog bites and one human death. In January and February 2025, 72 and 84 cases of dog bites were recorded, respectively,” he said.
“The number of dog bite injuries was projected at 836 by the end of the year. These incidents were estimated to cost the city’s economy no less than US$117 900 in 2025.”
Nationally, the picture is even more alarming. From 2022 to mid-2025, Zimbabwe recorded over 95 000 dog bites, with dozens of lives lost.
Health and Child Care Minister, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, said dog bites increased from 25 057 in 2022 to 26 273 in 2023, then spiked to 30 363 in 2024. According to the ministry’s weekly disease surveillance report, as of July 17, a total of 15 315 cases had already been recorded, with two rabies deaths confirmed.
“The situation is dire. Most of the bites come from dogs whose vaccination status is unknown, with many roaming communities unattended. This increases the risk of rabies, which is nearly always fatal,” he said.
Experts say a lack of understanding and poor training are at the heart of the problem.
Zimbabwe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ZNSPCA) Senior Inspector, Mr Chris Chikadaya, attributes many attacks to irresponsible ownership. He noted that many dog owners underestimate the responsibilities involved in keeping large or aggressive breeds.
“From our statistics, dogs that usually attack people are Boerboels and Pit Bulls, and mostly it’s due to irresponsible ownership. Most of the dogs that attack people are locked up for long periods, poorly socialised, or subjected to cruel training — and that frustration turns into aggression,” said Mr Chikadaya.
“These breeds need to be exercised and socialised. If they become frustrated, they end up biting people. We also have responsible dog owners who vaccinate their pets, while others remain ignorant and fail to do so.”
Mr Chikadaya also noted that around 10 percent of victims are bitten by their own dogs, and that children aged between 5 and 14 years account for 80 percent of dog bite cases. He said the ZNSPCA conducts community outreach to promote safe and humane animal care.
“However, with rising attacks, enforcement is only half the battle. Education, empathy, and accountability must follow. We urge dog owners to keep their properties well secured, and local authorities should enforce dog by-laws,” said Mr Chikadaya.
Veterinarian Dr Clifford Tshuma added that beyond the physical injuries lies a more sinister danger — rabies, a fatal viral disease transmitted through saliva.
“The first symptoms of rabies, called prodrome, may resemble flu-like symptoms, including weakness, discomfort, fever, or headache. There may also be discomfort, prickling, or an itching sensation at the site of the bite,” he said.
In response to the growing threat, BCC this week implemented a strict “Tie-Up Order” — a by-law enforcement drive targeting negligent dog ownership. The order requires all dog owners to restrain their pets, vaccinate them, and limit ownership to a maximum of two dogs for properties smaller than 2 000 square metres.
Violators risk having their animals shot. Dogs found roaming the streets will be put down on sight, as the local authority moves to reduce the escalating threat of dog bites and rabies.
BCC’s Acting Town Clerk, Mr Makhosi Tshalebwa, said the clampdown is a joint effort involving the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Department of Veterinary Services, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
He said residents are required to securely fence their properties, ensure that all dogs are vaccinated against rabies, and that the animals are licensed in accordance with the city’s by-laws.
“Dog owners and the general public are hereby advised that, in terms of the Bulawayo Dog Licensing and Control regulations, no person shall keep more than two dogs on any property measuring less than 2 000 square metres, or more than four dogs on any property exceeding 2 000 square metres,” he said.
Mr Tshalebwa stated that unrestrained dogs found roaming the streets during the enforcement period will be considered a public health risk and will be put down on sight by city authorities, including municipal police and health officials.
“No person shall allow their dog or dogs to roam outside their premises without restraint. Dogs shall only be kept where the property is securely fenced, walled, and gated. The public should note that a hedge is not considered a permissible barrier,” he said.
Mr Tshalebwa urged residents to surrender excess dogs to the SPCA, warning that non-compliance will not be tolerated.
No synonyms found.
Bongani Ndlovu