News / Local
Bulawayo Council adopts shoot to kill policy on dogs
04 Jun 2016 at 09:37hrs | Views
Bulawayo City Council has resolved to enforce the shooting to kill stray dogs in the city in an effort to control the spread of diseases such as rabies.
According to latest council report, the Director of Health Services Zanele Hwalima reported (5th May, 2016) that stray dogs continued to be a menace in the city. In January to March 2016, ninety (90) dog bites had been recorded compared to sixty-two (62) recorded in the same period in 2015 which was the period when the Tie Up Order was being enforced.
"Dog Control was important in the prevention of diseases such as rabies and in preventing numerous nuisances that were associated with stray dogs," reads the report. "In an effort to control stray dog population the department would be issuing out a tie up order as from 18 May 2016 to 31 August 2016 for all dog owners to confine their dogs within secure properties."
The report states that all dogs that were found loose on the streets or which were being kept in violation of the Bulawayo (Dog Licensing and Control) Bylaws will be shot.
"The Department would carry out this exercise in conjunction with the Department of Veterinary Services and the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Prior to carrying out this exercise members of the public will be advised of the impending shooting of unrestrained dogs through adverts in the newspapers, posters at Council premises and through the Council sms service," reads the report.
"The exercise would be carried out a cost of $7 082. Discussion ensued and Councillor Gideon Mangena commended the Health services department for the tie up order carried out between January and March 2016. He felt that such an exercise should continue until the city eradicates all stray dogs. Most of the stray dogs were not vaccinated. Some residents were by nature scared of dogs resulting in
accidents."
According to latest council report, the Director of Health Services Zanele Hwalima reported (5th May, 2016) that stray dogs continued to be a menace in the city. In January to March 2016, ninety (90) dog bites had been recorded compared to sixty-two (62) recorded in the same period in 2015 which was the period when the Tie Up Order was being enforced.
"Dog Control was important in the prevention of diseases such as rabies and in preventing numerous nuisances that were associated with stray dogs," reads the report. "In an effort to control stray dog population the department would be issuing out a tie up order as from 18 May 2016 to 31 August 2016 for all dog owners to confine their dogs within secure properties."
"The Department would carry out this exercise in conjunction with the Department of Veterinary Services and the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Prior to carrying out this exercise members of the public will be advised of the impending shooting of unrestrained dogs through adverts in the newspapers, posters at Council premises and through the Council sms service," reads the report.
"The exercise would be carried out a cost of $7 082. Discussion ensued and Councillor Gideon Mangena commended the Health services department for the tie up order carried out between January and March 2016. He felt that such an exercise should continue until the city eradicates all stray dogs. Most of the stray dogs were not vaccinated. Some residents were by nature scared of dogs resulting in
accidents."
Source - Byo24News
