Dog attacks becoming increasingly common

Source : Kutlwano

Author : Kutlwano

Location : Gaborone

Event : Interview

Imagine taking a leisurely stroll through your neighbourhood, the sun kissing your skin, the breeze playing with your hair, when all of a sudden, you are attacked by a ferocious dog.

Before you can react, the dog is upon you, its teeth sinking deep into the flesh, its ferocity overwhelming.

It is a nightmare scenario, but unfortunately, it is a reality for many people who have been mauled by dogs.

Watipa Ncube*, a 32-year-old nurse in Gaborone escaped death when she was attacked by a neighbour’s dog while walking home one evening.
“The attack was over in a matter of minutes, but it felt like an eternity. I remember the sheer terror of being pinned to the ground, helpless, as the dog tore into my flesh,” she recalls.
Watipa sustained severe injuries, including deep cuts and puncture wounds, necessitating many operations and months of recovery. 

“Despite the physical discomfort, the emotional damage was the most difficult to overcome. Even years later, I still have nightmares about that night,” she adds.

Dog attacks like Watipa’s are becoming increasingly common, raising alarm bells and prompting government action.

This article explores the measures being implemented to prevent such tragedies from occurring.

Gaborone City Council (GCC) Bye-law Superintendent, Mateke Twaimango says GCC has implemented dog management bye-laws, which requires that every dog owner shall ensure that his/her dog is vaccinated and be kept in a safe place in order to prevent any possible dog attack on people.

“Moreover, dog owners are reminded to display signs such as ‘TSHABA NTSA’ or ‘BEWARE OF THE DOGS’ in order to warn any passersby of dangerous dogs,” he says.

He also notes that the bye-law enforcement division conducts quarterly operations in order to educate the general public and dog owners on the proper upkeep of dogs as required by dog management bye-laws in order to prevent dog attack on innocent passersby.

As for the effectiveness of these measures, Twaimango admitted that it is too early for comprehensive statistics.

“The bye-laws were recently implemented, so we do not yet have detailed reports on their impact in reducing dog attacks,” says the GCC official.

However, GCC remains optimistic that these regulations, combined with public education, will significantly mitigate the risk of such traumatic events.

Watipa’s story is a stark reminder of the potential dangers that can lurk in our neighbourhoods. 

As Gaborone takes steps to address this issue, the hope is that such horrifying incidents will become a thing of the past, ensuring safer streets for all.

Although GCC’s efforts are a step in the right direction, it will take the collective commitment of all residents to make Gaborone a safer place for everyone. ENDS