Nakuru residents call for elimination of stray dogs
Stray dogs. The child was attacked by dogs that strayed from a neighbour's compound. PHOTO | FILE| NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The calls come a day after the County PHO Samuel King’ori dismissed claims of an outbreak of rabies in the region.
- Mr King’ori said there were only 25 cases of animal bites in the entire county by week six of 2016 with no rabies case reported.
- He also asked residents to take their dogs for vaccination and lock them up.
Residents of Nakuru Town and its environs have complained of an increase in the number of stray dogs roaming the streets which they say pose danger to their children and livestock.
They have called on veterinary officers and the public health department to kill all stray dogs roaming the area.
“These dogs roaming around are becoming a nuisance to the public and they are likely to spread diseases.
“If they are allowed to increase in number, they become dangerous since they mostly feed on garbage,” said Mr John Warutere, a resident of Kaptembwa estate.
The residents now want the Nakuru County Public Health Department to reign in the stray dogs to prevent a possible outbreak of rabies and other dangerous diseases.
The calls come a day after the County PHO Samuel King’ori dismissed claims of an outbreak of rabies in the region.
Mr King’ori said there were only 25 cases of animal bites in the entire county by week six of 2016 with no rabies case reported.
“None of the 25 cases tested positive [for rabies] and there is no cause for alarm,” Mr King’ori said.
NO RABIES OUTBREAK
He made the assurance as members of the public raised concerns over a possible rabies outbreak in Kuresoi and Molo sub-counties.
He said the county public officers had filed a report and taken samples on the cases of domestic animal bites.
“The 25 cases of animal bites are from a variety of domestic animals. All the cases have tested negative,” said the public health officer.
While calling upon members of the public to seek medical attention on any form of animal bite, Mr King’ori said the anti-rabies vaccine was available in all health centres across the county.
“It is important to take precautionary measures whenever one gets a bite from any animal either wild or domestic by getting get an anti-rabies injection,” said Mr King’ori.
He also asked residents to take their dogs for vaccination and lock them up.
Meanwhile, the National Authority for Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) chairman John Mututho has supported calls by the residents to have stray dogs killed.
He also called the Ministry of Health to ensure the anti-rabies drug is available in all clinics and health centres.
“The drug should be made available to people to avoid unnecessary deaths,” said Mr Mututho.
