Livingstone mayor, Grace Shafik, has asked pet owners in the township to ensure that they cage their dogs in order to avoid the outbreak of rabies or face the law.
Ms Shafik has also urged the veterinary department to put deliberate measures aimed at educating the public over the proper keeping of dogs.
Ms Shafik said dog owners should make sure that their dogs are regularly vaccinated and chained most of the time during the day, adding that if they are to be let loose at night, they need to be within the owners’ yard.
“I have noticed that in some parts of Livingstone dogs even sleep along the roads which is unfortunate because these pets would usually end up attacking passers-by who might contract rabies. So my advice to the dog owners is that they should ensure that their pets are vaccinated at all times, chained during the day and if within the yards if they are let loose at night,” she said..
Ms Shafik, who is also a qualified nurse, said according to her experience, it is very difficult for people bitten by rabied dogs to survive.
Some people yesterday went to register their displeasure at the manner some dog owners let loose their dogs outside the yards as early as 19:00hrs, making it dangerous for passers-by to move as these pets take charge of the road.
One of the residents, Mason Chimuka, who lives in Rail compound, says he usually finds it difficult going home from work since he knocks of at night.
“I knock off from work around 19:00hrs and the moment I am out of town I start meeting dogs along the road. I was even almost bitten along Tanzania road near Busiku club two days ago,” he said.
However comments to get a comment from the District Veterinary Officer at the Vet Clinic in Livingstone proved futile as he was not reachable by press time.
ZANIS/ENDS/AS/EB
Caging man’s best friend is not the answer. Vaccination and taking proper care of them is.
So these rabid dogs are still around? I thought they were all served to tourists at Pub ‘n Grill as Zambian hot dogs!
People must learn that keeping a dog is a responsibility. Before they go out and get one, they must make sure that they have everything in place to give that pet a proper and happy life. A fenced area that they can call a home is a must. Dogs roaming the streets must be considered stray and confisticated by the authorities.
I take it there aren’t to may “chocholis” in L/stone. I doubt there would be too many hounds roaming the streets if there were. Food for thought!
Maybe many should think of getting tuma fluffy. Asisi am sorry.
Mwebakwata abena Poppy na Fluffy, you need to cage them. Just send the chinese there. They can take care of business within days. Kutulya tonse tu poppy natu fluffy!
LT, is Livingstone a township? I thought it has through dubious ways acquired the status of a city? I hear even Chipata is soon to become a city!! Those are cities north of the Limpopo for you. But why cage the dogs? Instead of doing that they should be put on leashes.
“However, comments to get a comment from the District Veterinary Officer…” Whatever became of the editor !
Where is the warning in the article?
Dogs must be caged to avoid people being beaten and risking contracting rabies. Stray dogs must be shot kwamana. These animals can be dangerous.
Who let the dogs out, who, who, who let the dogs out, who who who.
Chill man . Why Ba LT is just talking about Animals forst it was auctons now it is caging , ba Lt is unty animals.
sell them to the chinesse
Could Zambians learn to consult with specialists in areas at hand before rushing to the media to market their ignorant about certain issues. Eg, why didn’t the governor consult with the District Veterinary Officer before making an order to cage pets (dogs in this case)? Caging the animal would not be the best solution. Although him thinks it is. But, vaccination and proper pet upbringing would. In addition, as someone has already pointed out-potential pet owners must possess minimum pre-lequisites to qualify them as pet owners. Etc, etc.
@buckshot
The chinese will make dogs extinct.
Grace Shafik, is this the best you can do for Livingstone. Do something more constructive.
hi, sata has outlived his useness, so please elect young person within pf party to have any chance of bitting banda in the elections.