SENATE will this week debate a motion which seeks the prosecution of owners of stray dogs to be introduced by Zanu PF Manicaland senator Judith Mawire.
VENERANDA LANGA
Mawire gave notice of her intention to introduce the motion last week, which will be seconded by another Zanu PF Senator Tapera Machingaifa (Mashonaland West).
The Senator said she had been disturbed by persistent problems posed by stray dogs and other domestic animals to communities countrywide.
Reads the notice in part: “Cognizant that all animals are protected under the laws of the country; and concerned that owners of such stray animals denigrate on their responsibilities to look after them, thereby bestowing the onus to do so on other members of the community, all animals must be protected under the laws of the country.”
Mawire said the motion has been influenced by reports of people being bitten by rabid dogs and have faced challenges in getting proper medication, while others have been involved in fatal accidents caused by such animals.
“Now, therefore, the Senate must call upon Local Authorities and the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to enforce laws that do not only protect the stray animals, but also safeguard the lives of people,” Mawire said.
If Senate adopts the motion, Mawire wants prosecution of owners of stray animals to ensure that proper facilities are constructed for the safe custody of such animals.
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In 2016 three people reportedly died due to rabies after dog bites and the Zimbabwe National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said the problem was growing due to relaxation of legislation pertaining to dog breeding.
Rabies spreads through the nervous system of infected people, and infected dogs show no fear for humans and act very agitated.
Its symptoms in humans include fever, depression, painful spasms followed by excessive saliva and death within a week if untreated. It can be treated by anti-rabies vaccines and immune globulin injections.
