Story by Lomqhele Nxumalo
The Hwange Local Board has issued an urgent public safety notice following a traumatic incident in the Chibonda area, where a young girl was severely injured by a suspected Rottweiler that had escaped from a residential property.
The attack has sparked outrage and concern across the community, prompting the Council to announce “firm measures” to enforce responsible dog ownership and prevent future tragedies.
The incident occurred after the young girl had gone to play at a neighbour’s house. According to the child’s father, the mother of her friend had sent the two children to a nearby tuckshop. On their return journey, they were suddenly pursued by a large dog from the neighbourhood.
In a moment of sheer terror, the children split up and ran in opposite directions. The dog focused its pursuit on the girl, following her back to the house where she had been playing.
“The dog followed my daughter to the house where they were playing,” the father recounted. “It bit her there. The mother who sent them came outside and tried to chase the dog away, but she failed.”The ordeal only ended when a neighbour, alerted by the commotion, intervened with a garden fork to drive the dog away. By then, however, the child had already sustained significant injuries.
The victim was rushed to medical care, where her injuries were deemed serious enough to require surgical intervention. Her father confirmed that she had to be taken into theater for “skin building” or extensive stitching.
The Hwange Local Board expressed its “sincere wishes for the child’s speedy and full recovery” as she continues to undergo treatment.
The Council highlighted that while the property where the dog lived is usually secured, the gate had reportedly been left unlocked on the day of the attack, allowing the dog to roam free. The Hwange Local Board has responded to this problem by issuing an official notice to all residents, starting April 20th.
The new regulations include:
- Keeping dogs is strictly prohibited on properties without a secure perimeter fence, durawall, or competent containment facilities.
- All dogs must remain within gated and fenced yards at all times.
- Any dog found roaming the streets will be impounded under Council by-laws.
- Owners of uncontained dogs will face heavy fines, penalties, or the permanent removal of the dogs.
This incident underscores the grave risks posed by unrestrained pets in residential areas. The Council emphasized that roaming dogs are not just a threat to human lives particularly children but also to local livestock and the general wellbeing of the community.
“This unfortunate incident underscores the serious public safety risks,” the Board stated. “Council is instituting firm measures to strengthen responsible dog ownership across its area of jurisdiction.”
The child’s family remains hopeful for her recovery, with the father promising to provide updates as medical proceedings continue. Residents are urged to comply with the new safety bylaws immediately to ensure no other family has to endure such a tragedy.
