City Council runs out of bullets to shoot dogs

BULAWAYO City Council has run out of bullets to shoot stray dogs in the city with only 54 dogs having been put down.

City fathers where in February forced to shoot dogs due to an increase in the number of dogs infected with rabies in Bulawayo raising fears of a rabies outbreak in the city.

Residents were warned to keep their dogs in enclosures or risk being shot and indicating that no resident would be allowed to keep more than two dogs.

"Please be advised that the city of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Department of Veterinary Services and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) will be enforcing a tie up order as from February 23 2015 to April 22 2015. All stray dogs found during this period will be shot' council said then.

According to the latest council report, Director of Health Services Zanele Hwalima said the exercise stopped due to shortage of ammunition.

"The exercise had stopped because of ammunition challenges. It would continue when ammunition was acquired. The tie up order would cover all wards in the city' she said.

The report said councillor Gideon. Mangena said there was need to continue with this exercise as there were many stray dogs in the city.