Vet dept., council in Mkushi unveil plans to prevent rabies

The Veterinary Department and the District Council in Mkushi have unveiled plans to implement measures aimed at preventing the risk of dog rabies disease.

Mkushi District Livestock Officer Mitson Simuyala disclosed this yesterday during a multi-sector dog registration committee meeting.

Mr. Simuyala explained that the move involved in curbing the spread of rabies was necessitated against a background in which the district had been recording a lot of dog bite cases.

He said that more than 140 cases of dog bites had been reported to the veterinary office over the past 12 months, adding that the department had then resolved to partner with other sectors such as the council, the media as well as Zambia Police on the issue.

He revealed that the committee had resolved that residents would be required to keep a maximum of 3 dogs, saying that K60 had been pegged as the registration fee per dog.

Mr. Simuyala pointed out that the objective is meant to keep the dog population in check by ensuring dog vaccination, as well as enabling the council to record dog population statistics.

He said the veterinary department believed that there are currently more than 1000 dogs in the township and areas surrounding the Boma.

He said that in view of this, the committee proposed that the veterinary department undertake the task of providing a gun to shoot stray dogs.

Mr. Simuyala said that the Local Government Authorities had been earmarked to purchase the bullets for this exercise, whilst Zambia Officers were expected to conduct the actual shooting of dogs.

ZANIS /ENDS/CM/MCM……………………..DRY