BUTTYSON KANDIMBA, Solwezi
THE Veterinary Department in Solwezi has vaccinated 2,157 dogs against rabies from January this year to date.
District veterinary officer Manley Mazila said the department last year vaccinated 2,483 dogs against rabies in the district.
Dr Mazila said in an interview that the department has also recorded 229 cases of dog bites in the 3rd quarter of this year.
“In the first quarter of this year, we had 33 cases of dog bites, 113 were reported in the second quarter while 83 were recorded in the third. 165 cases were recommended for human anti-rabies treatment,” Dr Mazila said.
He said the number of dog-bite cases in Solwezi has reached alarming levels due to the high number of stray dogs, especially in townships.
Dr Mazila urged dog owners to have their animals vaccinated against rabies before registering them with the local authority.