Story by Buhlebenkosi Makwelo
AN anti-stray dogs campaign has been launched in Bulawayo following an increase in cases of dog bites and recent rabies related cases in the city.
Two rabies related cases have triggered a reactionary approach by the local authority with the campaign dubbed: ‘Shoot to Kill,’ having been launched and set to run from May 4 to June 5.
The development has been welcomed by residents.
“This is a good initiative, however, instead of killing the dogs they should keep them,” a resident said.
“Dogs are a form of home security but they should be kept indoors to avoid them becoming a threat to the community and he just came from veterinary for rabies vaccination,” a community member said.
The local authority’s Cleansing Superintendent, Ms Nkanyiso Ndlovu says the campaign comes after an alarming number of over 272 dog bites and two rabies cases recorded this year.
“This process has been necessitated by the increasing number of dog bites that we have been recording in the city. Last year in 2024 we had more than 600 people bitten by dogs and this year from January to end of March we had 272 dog bites and this is a worrying number. Dog bites comes with a lot of discomfort, costs and health risks. Currently in Bulawayo we have recorded two rabies cases. This is the essence of the tie order, we want to control stray dogs. Everyone who has a dog should keep it within the confines of their property to control the menace of stray dogs,” she said.
Council by-laws stipulate that western households are permitted to breed two dogs while four dogs are allowed for households in the eastern suburbs.
