Residents cry foul as BCC shoots stray dogs

The Bulawayo City Council this week shot and killed at least 15 stray dogs at Cowdray Park suburb in a bid to curb the outbreak of rabies.

On 23 February the local authority launched an operation called "Tie up Order" to eliminate dogs and cats that are not on a leash or accompanied by their owners.

The operation, which is scheduled to end on 22 April has riled residents who claim family pets have been killed in the operation.

A number of local authorities have taken the initiative to kill stray dogs and cats as cases of rabies increase in the country.

Two weeks ago two people died from rabies in Tsholotsho with 10 others bitten by rabid animals.

Residents said the local authority should consider that people rarely put dogs on leashes.

"My child has been crying uncontrollably since Wednesday night after these animals from council killed his dog. We want to sue the so that in future they will think twice before taking such silly decisions," said Memory Ncube.

Council's public relations officer, Nesisa Mpofu, yesterday confirmed the local authority had shot more than 15 stray dogs in Cowdray Park.

She said stray dogs increased the risk of the spread of rabies as their vaccination record was impossible to trace.

She said they were likely to be rabid as they either had no owners or they were left to run loose, thereby increasing their chances of getting rabies.

She warned residents against letting their dogs roam the street without a leash, saying the animals would be shot.

The local authority has in recent weeks advertised that it would be shooting stray pets.