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Takudzwa Chiwereweshe Mutare Correspondent
STAKEHOLDERS attending a provincial development review meeting held in Mutare recently have called for the shooting of stray dogs in Manicaland province to counter the rising cases of rabies.

Provincial administrator Mr Edgars Seenza noted with concern the increase in the number of stray dogs in Manicaland, as well as the alarming rise in rabies cases.

“Unaccompanied, untagged dogs are now common in our streets with some foraging for food at illegal dumpsites,” he said. “There have also been cases where dogs have strayed into neighbours’ properties while some have been run over by vehicles.”

Dumpsites

Mr Seenza attributed the trend to animal cruelty and abandonment of domesticated animals by residents who were failing to provide them with adequate food or ideal shelter.

This compelled the animals to move out of their owners’ perimeters in search of food at dumpsites, neighbours’ properties and the streets.

“Communities’ negligence of pets has led to an increase in stray dogs, placing the same communities, especially women and children of school-going age, at risk as some of dogs are aggressive and infected by rabies,” said Mr Seenza.

He urged residents to monitor their pets and ensure that they were correctly and consistently vac- cinated.

Mr Seenza stressed the need for residents to enhance the provision of ideal facilities for pets, as well as to implement basic security measures like erecting fences, walls or use leashes to control their dogs.

Manicaland provincial social services cluster chairperson Mrs Charity Ndadzungira said vaccinating dogs could be an effective way of preventing rabies infections for both humans and animals, as failure to do so could be both costly and fatal.

Expensive

“Rabies attacks are very expensive, as well as life threatening, as more than half of people infected go on to die mainly because of lack of information on appropriate remedial action taken following a dog bite, as well as delays in accessing medical services,” she said.

“Individuals should opt for preventive measures like vaccination, as the cost of treatment heavily outweighs the cost of prevention. Rehabilitation is expensive as it costs $127 to get treatment while it takes only $1 to vaccinate a dog.”

Mrs Ndadzungira called on relevant authorities like the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and local councils to enforce strict regulations on the custody of domesticated animals.

“We might have to consider shooting all stray dogs on sight as they are a danger to our communities amid ballooning cases of dogs attacking women and school going children,” she said.

Mrs Ndadzungira also stressed the need to continue holding awareness campaigns and educating communities on the importance of vaccinating pets.