Three people have been bitten and critically injured by stray dogs in Kibaale town Council, Kibaale district, raising concern about rabies virus, which is fatal if left untreated after a bite. Following the incident, residents in the town council have appealed to authorities to kill all stray dogs, saying they have become a threat to human life.
The victims are all family members: 100-year-old Sefuroza Kabusomba, 17-year-old Justus Mukisa and four-year-old Viane Businge, residents of Kikonge cell, Masaza ward in Kibaale town Council. Stray dogs raided their home over the weekend on Saturday and critically injured them. They were rushed to Kibaale health Center IV where they are currently receiving treatment.
According to Kabusomba, the stray dogs attacked her as she was walking around her compound. She sounded an alarm that prompted Mukisa and Businge to intervene, but the dogs later turned against the duo too, biting them on their legs and fingers.
Mary Kyakuha, LC1 Vice Chairperson for Kikonge cell in Kibaale town Council says, the town has increasingly become unsafe as stray dogs continue to wreak havoc all over the place.
John Bihindukire, another resident noted that stray dogs wander on the streets, attacking pedestrians and other residents stating that area residents especially children are at greater risk of being attacked and injured by the stray dogs.
The Town Clerk for Kibaale town Council Godfrey Basiima said that the authorities will coordinate efforts to eliminate stray dogs roaming the town, after the attack noting that unvaccinated stray dogs can carry the rabies virus, which is fatal if left untreated after a bite.
According to Basiima, most dog owners in the town council have refused to vaccinate their dogs yet the district does not have enough resources to vaccinate the entire canine population in the area.
He noted that the Veterinary department and the town council authorities have embarked on a house-to-house monitoring to verify whether all dogs are safe to keep in homes. He adds that persons who will be found with unvaccinated dogs will be arrested and charged-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
