An increase in dog bite cases in Bulawayo has raised concern after a domestic dog tested positive for rabies in Mzilikazi suburb.
According to the latest council minutes, a total of 76 dog bite cases were recorded across the city in January 2026.
Of the 76 cases, only 12 dogs were vaccinated, 23 were not vaccinated, while 41 had an unknown vaccination status, raising concerns about compliance with pet vaccination requirements.
Bulawayo has been recording a surge in dog bite incidents over the years, with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) warning the city has become a rabies hotspot.
To curb the problem, the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) introduced a tie-up order requiring residents to keep their dogs secured and resolved to shoot stray dogs found roaming in residential areas.
The city has also attempted to ban the breeding of vicious dog types such as pitbulls.
Despite these measures, the city continues to record high numbers of dog bite incidents.
On March 3, 2026, a two-year-old minor was mauled to death by four boerboel dogs at a residential home in Douglasdale. The dogs reportedly jumped over the fence while the minor’s stepfather was attempting to feed them.
Chairperson of the Health, Housing and Education Committee, Councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo, expressed disappointment over the continued rise in dog bite cases.
“Dog bites have increased because of the stray dog population. Residents are failing to secure their dogs,” the minutes quoted Cllr Khumalo as saying.
Responding to the concerns, a council official from the city’s health department said the person who had been attacked by the rabies-positive dog in Mzilikazi Suburb had already received medical treatment.
“The victim has since been given injections and medication. The tie-up order is being fully supported compared to other control methods done by other stakeholders,” the official said.
“SPCA has recommended that stray dogs be captured using cages. The output has been very small in terms of figures. Only four dogs can be captured a day, compared to the tie-up order where at least 10 dogs can be brought down per patrol.”