News / National
Bulawayo to resume shooting of stray dogs
18 Feb 2025 at 03:36hrs | Views
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The City of Bulawayo has resolved to resume the shooting of stray dogs, as concerns over their growing menace continue to mount. The local authority last conducted such an exercise in 2015.
According to the Bulawayo City Council's Dog Licensing and Control by-laws, dog owners who keep more than two animals in properties smaller than 2,000 square metres, without proper fencing or gates, are in violation of city regulations. A hedge is not considered a sufficient enclosure to confine dogs.
Residents in low-density suburbs are allowed to keep a maximum of four dogs, while those in high-density areas can only have two. Additionally, keeping a dog aged six months or older without a valid license is illegal, as is breeding dogs without a permit.
In a recent notice, the council reiterated that all dogs in the city must be vaccinated against rabies.
"A dog licence is valid for a year and can be obtained from any City of Bulawayo revenue office upon production of a valid vaccination certificate and payment of a fee of US$24 for a male dog and US$27 for a female dog," the council stated.
The council also urged residents who no longer need their dogs to surrender them to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
Residents say stray dogs have become a growing problem, particularly in areas where food is sold, such as shopping centres with tshisanyamas and backyard restaurants.
At KoChigumira Shopping Centre in Luveve, where there are five tshisanyamas, stray dogs are often seen scavenging for food.
"People come to braai meat while drinking and throw away leftovers. Some dog owners have stopped feeding their dogs, so they roam around the shopping centre looking for food," said Michael Ndaba, a Luveve resident.
Ndaba also expressed concern over unvaccinated dogs, warning that they could pose a rabies threat to children and adults.
Similar complaints have been raised in Mzilikazi, particularly at a popular leisure spot known as KoMadamara, where stray dogs frequent the area, drawn by discarded food from revelers.
"There are about five dogs that literally stay at the shopping centre scavenging for food. On weekends, people from all over the city come here to braai meat and drink beer, so there is always plenty of meat and bones for the dogs," said a vendor, Eva Mpala.
With rising concerns over health risks and public safety, the city's decision to resume shooting stray dogs is expected to curb the growing problem. However, animal rights groups may push for alternative solutions such as increased licensing enforcement and community awareness campaigns on responsible pet ownership.
According to the Bulawayo City Council's Dog Licensing and Control by-laws, dog owners who keep more than two animals in properties smaller than 2,000 square metres, without proper fencing or gates, are in violation of city regulations. A hedge is not considered a sufficient enclosure to confine dogs.
Residents in low-density suburbs are allowed to keep a maximum of four dogs, while those in high-density areas can only have two. Additionally, keeping a dog aged six months or older without a valid license is illegal, as is breeding dogs without a permit.
In a recent notice, the council reiterated that all dogs in the city must be vaccinated against rabies.
"A dog licence is valid for a year and can be obtained from any City of Bulawayo revenue office upon production of a valid vaccination certificate and payment of a fee of US$24 for a male dog and US$27 for a female dog," the council stated.
The council also urged residents who no longer need their dogs to surrender them to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
Residents say stray dogs have become a growing problem, particularly in areas where food is sold, such as shopping centres with tshisanyamas and backyard restaurants.
"People come to braai meat while drinking and throw away leftovers. Some dog owners have stopped feeding their dogs, so they roam around the shopping centre looking for food," said Michael Ndaba, a Luveve resident.
Ndaba also expressed concern over unvaccinated dogs, warning that they could pose a rabies threat to children and adults.
Similar complaints have been raised in Mzilikazi, particularly at a popular leisure spot known as KoMadamara, where stray dogs frequent the area, drawn by discarded food from revelers.
"There are about five dogs that literally stay at the shopping centre scavenging for food. On weekends, people from all over the city come here to braai meat and drink beer, so there is always plenty of meat and bones for the dogs," said a vendor, Eva Mpala.
With rising concerns over health risks and public safety, the city's decision to resume shooting stray dogs is expected to curb the growing problem. However, animal rights groups may push for alternative solutions such as increased licensing enforcement and community awareness campaigns on responsible pet ownership.
Source - The Chronicle