News / National
Bulawayo's stray dog operation fails to launch due to police inaction
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A citywide operation aimed at curbing the growing threat of stray dogs in Bulawayo has failed to get off the ground after the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) reportedly failed to cooperate, city officials have confirmed.
The initiative, known as the "tie-up order," was scheduled to begin on 5 May 2025 and was meant to run through 30 June, targeting the rising number of stray dogs linked to rabies outbreaks and recent fatal attacks. However, the operation was never implemented.
During a full council meeting on Wednesday, Councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu expressed concern over the programme's apparent ineffectiveness in light of recent incidents, including the fatal mauling of a man in Harare.
"I noted that last month the council implemented the tie-up order. May we hear about the successes of the programme, especially after last week's tragedy?" Cllr Ndlovu asked. "Stray dogs and cats continue to roam our neighbourhoods, yet resources were allocated to this campaign. How many dogs have been dealt with, and how many are still roaming?"
In response, Ward 23 Councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo acknowledged that the campaign never commenced due to a lack of coordination with police.
"The tie-up order was supposed to begin on 5 May, but it required coordination with the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Unfortunately, there was no cooperation from the ZRP, and the exercise was not initiated," said Cllr Khumalo.
The tie-up order was a joint effort involving the Bulawayo City Council (BCC), the Department of Veterinary Field Services, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), and the ZRP. Under the directive, dog owners were required to confine their pets to their properties, and any unrestrained or unclaimed dogs found roaming would be subject to impoundment or euthanisation.
Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube previously stressed the need for urgent action, noting a rise in rabies cases and reports of dog bites.
"The City of Bulawayo has noted that there is an increasing number of people who are being bitten by stray dogs," Dube said earlier this year.
Under city by-laws, Bulawayo residents are permitted to keep no more than two dogs on properties smaller than 2,000 square metres, and a maximum of four dogs on larger plots. All dogs must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies.
Residents who exceed these limits are encouraged to surrender excess animals to the SPCA shelter in Thorngrove.
The council also reiterated that secure boundaries-such as walls and fences-are required for pet containment. Hedges are not considered secure under the city's regulations.
The failed operation has sparked public concern, especially in high-density suburbs where packs of stray dogs are often reported roaming at night. Residents say they feel unsafe and fear the spread of rabies, particularly among children who are most at risk of attacks.
While the city remains committed to reducing stray animal populations, the setback underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation. Without the active participation of law enforcement, city officials warn, future efforts may continue to fall short.
It remains unclear whether the campaign will be rescheduled or revised in the coming weeks.
The initiative, known as the "tie-up order," was scheduled to begin on 5 May 2025 and was meant to run through 30 June, targeting the rising number of stray dogs linked to rabies outbreaks and recent fatal attacks. However, the operation was never implemented.
During a full council meeting on Wednesday, Councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu expressed concern over the programme's apparent ineffectiveness in light of recent incidents, including the fatal mauling of a man in Harare.
"I noted that last month the council implemented the tie-up order. May we hear about the successes of the programme, especially after last week's tragedy?" Cllr Ndlovu asked. "Stray dogs and cats continue to roam our neighbourhoods, yet resources were allocated to this campaign. How many dogs have been dealt with, and how many are still roaming?"
In response, Ward 23 Councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo acknowledged that the campaign never commenced due to a lack of coordination with police.
"The tie-up order was supposed to begin on 5 May, but it required coordination with the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Unfortunately, there was no cooperation from the ZRP, and the exercise was not initiated," said Cllr Khumalo.
The tie-up order was a joint effort involving the Bulawayo City Council (BCC), the Department of Veterinary Field Services, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), and the ZRP. Under the directive, dog owners were required to confine their pets to their properties, and any unrestrained or unclaimed dogs found roaming would be subject to impoundment or euthanisation.
Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube previously stressed the need for urgent action, noting a rise in rabies cases and reports of dog bites.
"The City of Bulawayo has noted that there is an increasing number of people who are being bitten by stray dogs," Dube said earlier this year.
Under city by-laws, Bulawayo residents are permitted to keep no more than two dogs on properties smaller than 2,000 square metres, and a maximum of four dogs on larger plots. All dogs must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies.
Residents who exceed these limits are encouraged to surrender excess animals to the SPCA shelter in Thorngrove.
The council also reiterated that secure boundaries-such as walls and fences-are required for pet containment. Hedges are not considered secure under the city's regulations.
The failed operation has sparked public concern, especially in high-density suburbs where packs of stray dogs are often reported roaming at night. Residents say they feel unsafe and fear the spread of rabies, particularly among children who are most at risk of attacks.
While the city remains committed to reducing stray animal populations, the setback underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation. Without the active participation of law enforcement, city officials warn, future efforts may continue to fall short.
It remains unclear whether the campaign will be rescheduled or revised in the coming weeks.
Source - CITE
