By Bright Zhou
Masvingo City Council is mulling an order exercise to ban the breeding of Pitbull dogs in the commonage as the dog breed is considered to be dangerous after one unclaimed rabid Pitbull attacked five people on different occasions in Rujeko before it was killed by residents.
This was revealed in Health, Housing and Environmental Services Committee Minutes dated March 4, 2024 where the council instructed Masvingo Town Clerk Edward Mukaratirwa to communicate with the Department of Veterinary Services on dangers of breeding pitbul dogs with an option to ban pitbul rearing.
“Resolved to recommend that the Town clerk be instructed to communicate to the Department of Veterinary Services on dangers of breeding Pitbull Dogs with a view to lobby for legislation regulating the activity,” read part of the minutes.
The committee deliberated on the dangers of keeping the breed in residential areas as it poses greater risk of increase in number of dog bites.
“On the dangers of keeping pitbull dogs in commonage, the committee deliberated at length the dangers associated with keeping the dog, It was suggested that the proposal to ban breeding or keeping of pitbull dogs should be communicated to the Department of Veterinary Services, with a view for lobbying for legislation banning such activity,” read part of the minutes.
Masvingo city council had centralized their vaccination program at Rujeko since they found the rabid dog and a mass vaccination commenced on March 06 2024 and close to 200 dogs were vaccinated.
Dog owners were urged to make sure that they vaccinate and license their dogs, with the local authority planning to have a dog census in the commonage to regulate the number of dogs one person can have.
Council also urged residents to report to the health department any dog that is seen roaming around the streets.
