The local authority’s finance director Rejoice Dandira told
a budget consultation meeting held last Friday that they decided to enforce
this bylaw because of the increase in the number of people bitten by
unvaccinated dogs.
She also said that residents are keeping more than three
dogs in residential suburbs which is prohibited by council by-laws.
“We have considered to enforce the dog license fee which we
are proposing to be US$12 per year in 2025. The dog license fee is not a new
set up it is in our bylaws but we had relaxed enforcement of the bylaw over the
years. However, we have realised that there are some problems emanating from
lack of enforcement of the bylaw.
“Most people are being bitten by rabid dogs and the cases
are on the rise causing a lot of problems because the medication to treat
someone who would have been bitten are too expensive.
“We have also realised that some people are breeding eight
to ten dogs at their 200 square meter stand which is illegal according to
council bylaws, only a maximum of three dogs are allowed per house,” said
Dandira.
She also urged residents to vaccinate their dogs against
rabies to avoid paying penalties and protect other people from rabies.
“We encourage residents to have their dogs vaccinated and
get certificates to protect other people from rabies in case of dog bites and
also to avoid paying penalties,” she said. Masvingo Mirror
