Enforce dog laws, LCC told

LUSAKA City Council (LCC) should intensify sensitisation programmes on dog registration laws in communities to eliminate rabies which is transmitted by unvaccinated dogs, says some Lusaka residents.

Mr Kellys Mwangako of Kalingalinga Township said there were too may stray and abandoned dogs roaming about in compounds.

Mr Mwangako said there was need to increase the levels of compliance on dog vaccination and registration in accordance with the law.

He said LCC should also sensitise dog owners on how to look after dogs in line with the Control of Dogs Act Cap 247 of the Laws of Zambia.

He said dogs should also be secured during day time and let free at night but even at night when let free they should be confined to owner’s premises.

“Many people have not been observing the requirements of the law therefore the prevalence of dogs roaming the streets in most townships. The problem of stray dogs is also very common in schools, markets and garages thereby threatening the safety of students,” he said.

Another citizen Mr Martin Kaonga appealed the council to ensure once dogs were registered,they would be certified and vaccinated by relevant offices.

Mr Kaonga explained that registering dogs was a legal requirement which is provided for under the control Act of Dogs Cap 247 of the Laws of Zambia.

Last year, LCC working with the Zambia Police started the destruction of stray, unvaccinated and unregistered dogs in all the 33 wards.

The activity was aimed at approaching public health matters in a more proactive manner rather than being reactive to outbreaks of rabies.

He explained that in 2018 mid-year, LCC through the department of Public Health embarked on door-to-door dog registration and vaccination sensitisation in all the wards.