News / Regional
Donkey kills goat, eats it
11 Dec 2015 at 05:29hrs | Views
A DONKEY allegedly killed and ate a goat as horrified herd boys watched in Halali area in Maphisa.
The incident which has become the talk of the area and beyond has been described as a bad omen by villagers who claim it is unheard of. Chief Masuku confirmed the bizarre incident which he said happened last Saturday.
"This donkey was seen by boys who were herding their livestock.
"I heard that this donkey went into a field where goats were grazing, and leapt on one of the goats killing it in the process before eating its intestines. The witnesses said the donkey ripped off the goat's head and tried to flee with it before the herd boys restrained it by giving chase," said Chief Masuku.
He said the incident was reported to the Veterinary Services Department. "The veterinary services said the donkey must be tied to a tree for some days and given water only. Unfortunately it died after two nights," he said.
He said the Veterinary Services Department instructed villagers to cut the donkey's head off and bring it for examination but its owners decided to burn it, ignoring the order.
He said he is still baffled by the incident. "Ever since I was born I haven't heard of such a thing, a donkey bites yes, but never eats other domestic animals," said the chief.
Village head Samson Zulu said: "This incident has shocked the whole village, how can a donkey eat a goat? Yimihlola le asikaze sikuzwe (It's a bad omen, we have never heard of such a thing)," said Zulu
The incident comes barely a month after two Filabusi villagers were mauled donkeys in separate incidents. The villagers sustained injuries and had to be treated as the donkeys were suspected to be rabid.
One of the villagers, Michael Sidambe, 80, was attacked by his neighbour's donkey at his homestead as he was going about his daily chores while Sithembiso Nungu, was bitten by a stray donkey.
The donkeys were put down by the vet department. Matabeleland South provincial officer in the Department of Veterinary Services Dr Enart Mdlongwa said one of the donkeys had rabies.
Animals with rabies suffer deterioration of the brain and tend to behave bizarrely and often aggressively, increasing the chances that they will bite another animal or a person and transmit the disease.
The incident which has become the talk of the area and beyond has been described as a bad omen by villagers who claim it is unheard of. Chief Masuku confirmed the bizarre incident which he said happened last Saturday.
"This donkey was seen by boys who were herding their livestock.
"I heard that this donkey went into a field where goats were grazing, and leapt on one of the goats killing it in the process before eating its intestines. The witnesses said the donkey ripped off the goat's head and tried to flee with it before the herd boys restrained it by giving chase," said Chief Masuku.
He said the incident was reported to the Veterinary Services Department. "The veterinary services said the donkey must be tied to a tree for some days and given water only. Unfortunately it died after two nights," he said.
He said the Veterinary Services Department instructed villagers to cut the donkey's head off and bring it for examination but its owners decided to burn it, ignoring the order.
Village head Samson Zulu said: "This incident has shocked the whole village, how can a donkey eat a goat? Yimihlola le asikaze sikuzwe (It's a bad omen, we have never heard of such a thing)," said Zulu
The incident comes barely a month after two Filabusi villagers were mauled donkeys in separate incidents. The villagers sustained injuries and had to be treated as the donkeys were suspected to be rabid.
One of the villagers, Michael Sidambe, 80, was attacked by his neighbour's donkey at his homestead as he was going about his daily chores while Sithembiso Nungu, was bitten by a stray donkey.
The donkeys were put down by the vet department. Matabeleland South provincial officer in the Department of Veterinary Services Dr Enart Mdlongwa said one of the donkeys had rabies.
Animals with rabies suffer deterioration of the brain and tend to behave bizarrely and often aggressively, increasing the chances that they will bite another animal or a person and transmit the disease.
Source - chronicle
