Source: Police inaction delays Bulawayo stray dog crackdown – CITEZW
By Promise Dube
A citywide operation aimed at curbing stray dogs in Bulawayo failed to launch after a lack of cooperation from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), city officials have revealed.
The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) had scheduled a “tie-up order” to begin on 5 May 2025, targeting the rising number of stray dogs linked to rabies outbreaks and recent fatal attacks.
However, the initiative was not carried out.
Speaking during a full council meeting on Wednesday, Councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu questioned the effectiveness of the programme following the recent mauling death of a man in Harare.
“I noted that last month the council implemented the tie-up order. May we hear about the successes of the programme, especially after last week’s tragedy,” said Cllr Ndlovu. “Stray dogs and cats continue to roam our neighbourhoods, yet resources were allocated to this campaign. How many dogs have been dealt with, and how many are still roaming?”
In response, Ward 23 Councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo confirmed that the operation never commenced.
“The tie-up order was supposed to begin on 5 May, but it required coordination with the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Unfortunately, there was no cooperation from the ZRP, and the exercise was not initiated,” said Cllr Khumalo.
The tie-up order, announced earlier this year, was to run until 30 June 2025. It was a joint effort involving the BCC, the Department of Veterinary Field Services, the SPCA, and ZRP. Under the directive, all dogs were to be confined to their owners’ properties, with any strays liable to be shot.
Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube previously said the directive was essential to curb rising reports of dog bites and rabies.
“The City of Bulawayo has noted that there is an increasing number of people who are being bitten by stray dogs,” he said.
Under the council’s by-laws, residents may keep no more than two dogs on properties smaller than 2000 square metres and no more than four on larger lots. All dogs must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies.
Households with more dogs than legally allowed are encouraged to surrender excess animals to the SPCA in Thorngrove.
Residents were also reminded that only secure boundaries such as walls or fences would be accepted for dog confinement. Hedges do not qualify.
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