Zanu PF senator seeks prosecution of owners of stray dogs

Last week Zanu PF Manicaland senator Judith Mawire gave notice of her intention to introduce the motion which seeks the prosecution of owners of stray dogs. The motion will be seconded by another Zanu PF Senator Tapera Machingaifa (Mashonaland West).

Part of Mawire’s notice reads:

Cognizant that all animals are protected under the laws of the country; and concerned that owners of such stray animals denigrate on their responsibilities to look after them, thereby bestowing the onus to do so on other members of the community, all animals must be protected under the laws of the country. Now, therefore, the Senate must call upon Local Authorities and the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to enforce laws that do not only protect the stray animals, but also safeguard the lives of people.

If Senate adopts the motion, Mawire wants prosecution of owners of stray animals to ensure that proper facilities are constructed for the safe custody of such animals. NewsDay states that in 2016 three people reportedly died due to rabies after dog bites and the Zimbabwe National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said the problem was growing due to relaxation of legislation pertaining to dog breeding.

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