Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. A suspected rabid dog went on a rampage in broad daylight in Chipinge, attacking nine children aged between three and nine.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the incidents, saying a wandering female dog bit children at different points across the village.
All nine youngsters are now receiving post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), a series of injections given promptly after exposure to help prevent rabies. Said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka:
“A suspected rabid greyish female dog went on a rampage in Chipinge rural, biting nine children aged between three and nine years.
“The attacks occurred at various locations in the village and resulted in moderate injuries.
“At present, seven of the victims have been identified, while efforts are underway to establish the remaining two children, who were also attacked.
“A message has already been relayed within the village for the unidentified victims to urgently present themselves at Chipinge District Hospital for treatment.”
Most parents had left their children at home to attend a funeral in the same community when the dog attacks took place, Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said.
News of the vicious dog quickly reached some mourners, prompting villagers to mobilise and search for it.
They eventually tracked down the dog, killed it, and buried it in the village before authorities were notified.
Suspicion later fell on a 58-year-old A1 farmer from the same village, Takavada Zhou, whose female dog was reportedly missing around the time of the attacks.
Zhou has denied owning the dog responsible, Chinyoka said. Police are continuing their investigations to determine the dog’s owner.
After the attacks, parents reportedly struggled to secure medical assistance for the injured children, prompting them to alert the Chipinge District Veterinary Services Department.
The matter was then escalated to veterinary authorities, who engaged the District Development Coordinator, leading to the activation of the District Civil Protection Committee.
A multi-sectoral response team, including the Veterinary Services Department, police, and the Ministry of Health and Child Care, was dispatched to Mwadzinga Village.
The Civil Protection Committee team exhumed the dog’s remains for laboratory testing, and samples have been sent to Harare to determine whether the animal was infected with rabies. Added Chinyoka:
“The purpose of the laboratory tests is to scientifically ascertain whether the dog was indeed rabid so that appropriate decisions and public health measures are guided by facts.
“The affected children have since started receiving rabies vaccine doses at Chipinge District Hospital.
“This intervention was extended to save lives, with payment arrangements to be addressed later.”
He said medical officials had reported that the children’s injuries were moderate and healing well, with no signs of rabies so far.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka urged dog owners to keep their animals properly vaccinated and restrained at all times.
He also called on the public to report stray or aggressive dogs straight away and to seek medical attention immediately if bitten.
Chinyoka warned against burying or destroying suspected rabid animals before notifying authorities, stressing that the right procedure is to alert the police or veterinary officers without delay.
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