Kwekwe Council to Shoot Stray Dogs as Rabies Cases Surge

Kwekwe – The City of Kwekwe has announced a controversial plan to shoot stray and roaming dogs as part of efforts to contain a rise in rabies cases in the city. In a public notice, the council said the exercise, described as a tie-up order implementation, will run until May 27, 2026, targeting areas with high numbers of stray animals.

The operation will be conducted across several suburbs and locations, including:

• Mbizo

• Kwekwe Central Business District (CBD)

• Msasa

• Newtown

• Chicago

• Golden Acres

• Fitchica

• Amaveni

• Ward 6 Mines

Authorities say the move is necessary to control the growing population of stray dogs, which have been linked to the spread of rabies.

“The schedule for the shooting of stray and roaming dogs will run up to May 27, 2026,” the council said.

Rabies remains a serious public health threat in Zimbabwe, primarily transmitted through bites from infected dogs. Health experts warn that once symptoms appear, the disease is almost always fatal if left untreated. The Veterinary Services Zimbabwe recently carried out a rabies vaccination campaign in Kwekwe in a bid to curb infections.

Public health officials stress that controlling stray dog populations, alongside vaccination programmes, is critical in reducing the spread of the disease.

Residents have been urged to:

• Vaccinate their pets regularly

• Avoid contact with stray animals

• Report suspected rabid dogs to authorities

While the move is aimed at protecting public health, such measures often draw mixed reactions, with animal welfare advocates typically calling for humane alternatives such as sterilisation and sheltering. Authorities, however, maintain that urgent action is required to protect communities from a potentially deadly outbreak.

Kwekwe stray dogs shooting