Too many dogs’ worry Lusaka residents

Tue, 25 Apr 2017 10:42:18 +0000

By KALOBWE BWALYA

LUSAKA City Council should consider extending the dog vaccination exercise to Marapondi compound because there are too many dogs that are not vaccinated and unregistered in the area.

Enock Sanda of Marapodi compound alleged that dog owners were keeping dogs that were not vaccinated and that was dangerous in case of an outbreak of rabies.

Mr Sanda said dog owners did not bother to have their domestic animals registered because their interest was about safety of their lives and properties.

He also accused the people keeping the pests of abrogating the law regarding the registration and vaccination of dogs.

“Here in Marapodi compound most of the dogs that you see around were not registered or vaccinated because owners did not mind the repercussions of keeping unvaccinated dogs because their interest was to secure their lives and properties,’’ Mr Sanda said.

Another concerned resident Chikondi Mulaunzi alleged that most of the dogs in the area were not vaccinated and chances of an outbreak of rabies were high.

She said dogs where found everywhere especially at police stations, and at the market looking for refuge or food because owners did not take mind to feed them.

Ms Mulauzi said some dogs were also found at school premises and drinking places, hence safety was not guaranteed for both learners and drinkers because such dogs were regarded as stray dogs.

“When you have been beaten by a dog and you report to the police, owners will not show up at the police for fear of being answerable because their dogs do not have proper documentation,” said Ms Mulauzi.

Melody Chama appealed to the council to extend the exercise not only in Marapodi but also in Chipata compound and surrounding townships as a safety precaution.

Last week there was mass dog vaccination campaign in Chibolya compound by Lusaka City Council and people turned in large numbers to have their pests vaccinated.

And council public relations manager Habeenzu Mulunda said it was law that every domestic animal was registered and vaccinated in order to avoid outbreaks of rabies, among others.

Mr Mulunda said if the public did not comply with the Animal and Pets Control Act, the authorities will have no choice but to eliminate them for the safety and security of the public.

‘‘Therefore anyone who owns a dog is mandated by law to vaccinate, register and confine the dog in accordance with dictates of the Act,” said Mr Mulunda.