Masindi residents support municipal move to poison stray dogs
“I don’t have any problem with the dogs, but unless threatened, they can bite people. I support the idea because stray dogs are very many in town and have little benefit to the town,” Asiimwe said.
Masindi: Residents of Masindi Municipality have supported the municipal council’s decision to eliminate stray dogs, saying the animals are causing road accidents, biting residents and posing a public safety concern.
The residents, mainly from Central Division, expressed their views on Thursday and urged dog owners to keep their animals properly confined and vaccinated.
Joseph Tumwesige, a resident of Southern Cell, said stray dogs are common in African Quarters and pose a health risk to the community.
He said responsible dog owners should keep their animals in kennels and ensure they are vaccinated, noting that treatment for dog bites can be costly for low-income residents.
Isaac Asiimwe, a computer operator, said although he has no problem with dogs, stray animals can become dangerous when threatened.
“I don’t have any problem with the dogs, but unless threatened, they can bite people. I support the idea because stray dogs are very many in town and have little benefit to the town,” Asiimwe said.
Godfrey Wamani, a boda boda rider at Rotary Stage, also welcomed the exercise, saying stray dogs have disrupted their operations by causing accidents and biting people.
Another resident, Julius Ategeka, said stray dogs have been attacking people, destroying property and taking food.
Municipality begins exercise
On Wednesday, Masindi Municipal authorities began eliminating stray dogs across the municipality’s four divisions of Central, Nyangahya, Karujubu and Kigulya.
The exercise follows concerns over dog bites and public safety.
Patrick Asiimwe, the Masindi Municipality Deputy Town Clerk, said the municipality is working with the veterinary office to address the problem.
“We are grappling with a high number of stray dogs biting residents, and we have resolved to eliminate them from the town,” Asiimwe said.
He advised dog owners to keep their animals indoors or properly confined during the exercise to prevent them from being affected.
Asiimwe said the exercise is targeting dogs found straying without owners, adding that authorities are also planning a dog vaccination exercise to protect animals and residents against rabies and other diseases.
Issa Balinda Umar, the LC3 Chairperson of Central Division, identified Nyangahya, Kirabo Market, Ssebala Street and Kijura as some of the areas with a high number of stray dogs.
Balinda said the animals had become a security concern and appealed to residents to ensure their dogs are properly confined.
The municipal authorities say the exercise is intended to improve public safety and reduce cases of dog bites and related risks in Masindi Municipality.
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