By Beverly Bizeki
In an attempt to control the rising cases of dog bites in Masvingo City, council is set to task meter readers to do a dog census in residential places, in inorder to be able to control the number of dogs per household.
This was revealed in Health, Housing, and Environmental Services Committee Minutes dated February 5, 2024, where council resolved that the Chief Health Environmental Officer liaise with the Finance Director on the feasibility of the operation.
“Council has resolved to recommend that the Chief Health Environmental Officer be instructed to liaise with the Finance Director on the feasibility of engaging meter readers to take stock of dogs in the commonage during their meter reading duties with a view of enforcing regulations for dog keeping,” read part of the minutes.
This is one of council’s control measures in the case of dog bites.
“On control measures regarding the keeping of dogs in light of rising dog bites, it was suggested that meter readers be tasked to take stock of dogs in the commonage to enable council to institute control measures on the number of dogs per each household,” read the minutes.
Masvingo City Acting Director of Health, Housing, and Environmental Services Sithabile Matava said as council they were worried by the increase in the number of dogs in the commonage saying several people were into the breeding of dogs and that resulted in cross-breeds that have unpredicted characteristics.
“We have an increase in the number of dogs that are roaming around and this may be a result of people who are into breeding of dogs. We are receiving an average of five dog bites per month in Masvingo City and that is worrisome,” said Matava.
She further said there was a new bylaw on dogs and said residents will be sensitized about it but urged those who keep dogs to keep a limited number, make sure they have a license, and are vaccinated.
In the same minutes, council also raised concern over the increased number of push carts operating in the Central Business District (CBD).
“The committee raised concern that the number of push carts operating in the CBD had increased so much therefore inconveniencing motorists. Management noted the concern and assured the committee that municipal police would attend to the matter,” read the minutes.
Council has also raised a total of US$27 471 from the various bylaw offenses committed around the city and also from Boom gate collections.
