BY SAMUEL NJINGA IN MASVINGO
Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, (SPCA), has launched a blitz operation against stray dogs. The operation dubbed: “Operation imbwa ngadzichengetwe zvakanaka,” kicked off this week. Speaking to AB News Network, Government Appointed SPCA Inspector for Masvingo province, John Chikomo, confirmed that they recently impounded 26 dogs from one homestead.
“We launched this operation in a bid to get rid of stray dogs that have been roaming around the ancient city. Our target is to make sure that we have pruned out all undesirable dogs that are not vaccinated against rabies.” Said Chikomo.
“Operation Imbwa ngadzichengetwe zvakanaka,” which kicked off this week on Monday, is expected to come to an end on the 29th of February this year. The operation has been unveiled at a time when the majority of residents in Masvingo are complaining with regards to the surge in numbers of stray dogs in Mucheke high density suburbs.
Last year between 7 and 11 August, the Veterinary Department in the province, under the leadership of Dr Kramer Manyetu, teamed up with the City council to embark on The Rabies Mass Vaccination in Masvingo Urban. This was a massive education awareness campaign against stray dogs. The operation involved vaccinating dogs against rabies as well as gunning down those that would not have been vaccinated and certified after completion of the exercise. A total of 726 dogs and cats were vaccinated during this exercise.