— Kafue district council to shoot dead stray dogs.

Kafue  district council to shoot dead stray dogs.

Kafue, January 18,2015, ZANIS —- Kafue  district council will in February 2015 declare an outright war against stray dogs  in the district.

Kafue district  chief health inspector ,Sam Nyoni, says his combined public health team will during the month of February shoot all stray dogs in the area.

Mr. Nyoni said the exercise will be done in order to curb  rabies break out in the area adding that it will encourage the dog owners to take care of pets.

ZANIS reports that Mr. Nyoni said during Epidemic Preparedness meeting in Kafue, yesterday.

He added that the council with pursuant to cap 247 of the laws of  Zambia, is in process of procuring bullets to enforce the control of stray dogs.

 He further said ,the council is currently working with other stakeholders  on continued  sensitization on proper care of dogs in the district.

Dog owners must have their  dogs registered with the local authority  and have them vaccinated at the veterinary department in the district, he said.

Speaking at the same venue , the district livestock officer ,Joseph Kombe, revealed that his office had 963 dogs  vaccinated in the  year, 2014.

Mr. Kombe added that  his office also received 41 reports of dog bites and one confirmed case of rabid dog but no lives were lost.

He emphasized the need for dogs to be vaccinated at three months , nine months and a year old, if the zoonotic  diseases such as rabies are to be prevented in the district.

A minimal charge of K20 for vaccination is being charged. Dog owners in the district are urged to utilize the Veterinary Department to avoid being cheated by some scrupulous individuals who may not follow the right vaccination procedures.