Stray Dogs Worry Mayor

ISAAC PINIELO
Correspondent | Monday March 8, 2010 00:00

The problem, according to him, is not because the dogs may attack people or chase them throughout city streets, but mostly because they pose a health hazard as they can transmit rabies to humans, which is a fatal desease.

He told a recent full council meeting that there is an increase in the number of stray dogs in the northern city.

'These dogs are mainly observed around institutions and construction sites where they scavenge for food,' said Nyeku.

He noted that the uncontrolled breeding and unavailability of pet food contribute to the rise in the population of stray dogs.

He said in an effort to control the situation, the veterinary department carries out annual vaccination of dogs and cats, adding that currently public education is being carried out to encourage people to have their pets vaccinated.

The mayor also said they will deploy by-law enforcement officers so as to control the situation and to 'revive the identification of dogs and cats' by council. In the meantime, Nyeku said the crime rate in 2009 was low when compared with 2008.

He said the newly launched Botswana Police air support unit has been very crucial to the operations, adding that other crime issues were dealt with in collaboration with other stakeholders such as the law enforcement committee.