Little Girl Seriously Injured In Hwange Rottweiler Attack

A young girl from Hwange is receiving treatment for serious injuries after being attacked by a Rottweiler earlier this month, reported ZBC News.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Matabeleland North Province confirmed the incident, describing it as life-threatening, and said investigations are underway.

The attack comes amid a growing number of cases involving aggressive dogs in Zimbabwe. In June 2025, a 39-year-old man, Samuel Machara, was killed by a pitbull in Harare.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported an average of 500 to 600 dog bite cases each week across the country. In the first week of January alone, 619 cases were recorded.

More than 95,000 dog bites were reported nationwide over the three years leading into 2025/2026.

In March, a two-year-old child was mauled to death by four Boerboel dogs in Douglasdale, Bulawayo. Late last year, a 13-year-old girl was killed by six stray dogs in Nyabira.

Authorities have also raised concern over a spike in illegal backyard breeding, particularly of aggressive breeds such as pitbulls, Rottweilers and Boerboels. Animal welfare inspectors say these dogs are often kept in poor conditions, which can increase their aggression.

Densely populated suburbs such as Zengeza, Chitungwiza, have reported packs of large dogs roaming the streets at night, scavenging at dumpsites and posing a threat to residents.

Data further shows that in more than half of reported attack cases, the vaccination status of the dogs is unknown. Only about 20% were confirmed to have been vaccinated against rabies.

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Rottweiler mauls 8-month-old baby to death in her mother’s arms City of Mutare gives dog owners until 27 September to fence, vaccinate and licence dogs