A 63-YEAR-OLD Harare man appeared in court yesterday facing a culpable homicide charge after his rabid dog allegedly mauled his neighbour, causing his death two weeks later.
BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE
Eleuterio Siphambaniso Mahara of Old Mabvuku denied the charge when he appeared before regional magistrate, Elijah Makomo, who remanded the matter to October 28.
The State alleges that on January 31 this year, the now-deceased Gibson Nyamupinga (27) went to Mahara’s residence intending to fetch water from his well.
As Nyamupinga drew closer to the well, Mahara’s rabid dog leapt at him and bit his left thumb.
The State alleges that the dog appeared ferocious and this prompted Nyamupinga to lodge a dog bite report at Mabvuku Police Station. He was immediately referred to Mabvuku Clinic and later transferred to Harare Infectious Diseases Hospital, where he was treated and discharged.
On February 13, Nyamupinga’s health deteriorated, prompting his relatives to take him back to hospital, where he died on admission.
A post-mortem report confirmed he had traces of rabies.
