Municipality Intensifies Stray Dog Removal From City Streets
…Please ensure your dog is always within your residence
In an effort to improve the health and safety of citizens of the city, including children, the Municipal Council of Manzini has intensified its stray dog removal programme. The move is necessitated by an observed increase in the number of dogs that roam the city streets. Stray dogs do not only expose residents to the danger of being infected with deadly zoonotic diseases such as rabies (because there is no guarantee that they are vaccinated) but also cause discomfort to community members as they often attack them. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that approximately 55,000 people die from rabies every year. Stray dogs also scatter garbage whilst awaiting collection by the Municipality’s refuse trucks; by so doing they do not only cause harm to the environment but also expose the refuse collection team to diseases as they often find themselves compelled to hand-pick the scattered garbage. Regulation 4(1) of the Urban Government Regulations, 1969 forbids citizens from keeping animals that are a nuisance to the community. “No person shall keep any animal which is a nuisance or an annoyance to persons residing in the neighbourhood”.
Regulation 5 further states that “No person shall set on, urge on, nor, so far as he is able to prevent, permit his dog or any other animals kept by him to attack or rush at any person or animal, or motor cars or cyclists, or in any other way to interfere with the comfort of any member of the public”. Meanwhile, Section 7 of the Registration of Dogs Act, 1953, says a dog which is not under control and custody of any person and which is found trespassing on land may be destroyed forthwith. The Municipality would like to advise residents to ensure that their dogs are always kept within secure premises and not allowed out of the residence. Those who keep dogs yet do not have secure fencing for their residences are urged to ensure they always keep them on the leash. Dog owners are urged to always ensure gates to their residences are not left open and that there are no openings on the fence. If you happen to open the gate to your residence, please ensure to close it before leaving your property. Also ensure that the dog is in the yard before departing from your property. The Municipality, through its security team, continues to remove dogs that are found straying in the city streets; regardless of whether or not they have owners.
…HOW TO PREVENT YOUR DOG FROM ROAMING THE STREETS
The Swaziland Animal Welfare Society advises citizens to play their role to prevent dogs from roaming the streets. The following is what citizens can do in that regard;
- DOG-PROOF YOUR FENCE
Use materials like chicken wire to reinforce the bottom of your fence to prevent them from digging under the fence and/or reinforce the top of the fence to stop them from jumping over. - PROVIDE PROPER CARE
Make sure to provide them with adequate food, water and shelter. If they are well-fed and happy, they are less likely to escape, roam the streets and forage for food. - STERILISE OR NEUTER YOUR PET
Spaying and neutering your pet is the best thing you can do to help prevent pet overpopulation. The key is to prevent the problem before it begins. Spay and neuter procedures are common surgeries performed by veterinarians and the only humane method of preventing the overpopulation of animals. Spaying and neutering also has other physical, behavioral, and environmental benefits such as reducing the dog’s desire to roam. The surgery can be done by a Government or private veterinarian. The cost of sterilising an animal is considerably less than what it would cost to care for litters of puppies or kittens. - KEEP YOUR PET FOR LIFE
Before you adopt or buy a pet you need to understand the commitment you are making. Dogs and cats can live upwards to 13 or even 15 years; some even longer. Your pets are your responsibility for their lifetime. Do not just abandon your pets when your circumstances change. Be responsible and re-home them.
…TIKHUBA ROAD TEMPORARY CLOSED DUE TO ONGOING REHABILITATION
Citizens of Manzini City and surrounding areas are notified that Tikhuba road is currently temporarily inaccessible due to the ongoing road rehabilitation works which are being undertaken by AG Thomas Pty (Ltd). Tikhuba road is the one that stretches from the Manzini main traffic circle near Manzini Club down to Coates Valley Township. The project forms part of the multi-million Bosco Bridge construction and rehabilitation of two additional roads; these being Mimosa road in Coates Valley and Southern Distributor road. Motorists are urged to use alternative routes to their destinations. Motorists will be notified as soon as the road reopens to traffic. Residents who live along the road are advised to keep children away from the construction site. Meanwhile, construction of the Bosco Bridge is still in progress. All things constant, the entire project (bridge construction and rehabilitation of three roads) will be completed by March 2023.
…MANZINI CEMETERIES: RELATIVES URGED TO CHECK THEIR LOVED ONES’ GRAVES
The Municipal Council of Manzini appeals to relatives of those who are buried at the Golf Course and Ngwane Park cemeteries to visit the cemeteries and see to it that the state of their loved ones’ graves is still in a good condition. A number of graves are collapsing in both cemeteries, largely as a result of the ongoing torrent of rains, and they require urgent attention. The Municipality further reminds members of the public that the responsibility to maintain the graves lies with relatives of those who are buried. The Municipality only performs general maintenance of the cemetery at large, including vegetation overgrowth removal. On another note, the Municipality advises citizens to always engage the services of skilled bricklayers for construction of graves so that they are assured of proper workmanship.