$100 fine for unvaccinated dogs

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DOG OWNERS in Bulawayo who do not vaccinate their pets against rabies, risk paying a $100 fine, the local authority has warned.

DOG OWNERS in Bulawayo who do not vaccinate their pets against rabies, risk paying a $100 fine, the local authority has warned.Bulawayo City Council is due to undertake a fortnight-long rabies vaccination programme, from August 26 to September 8 in the western suburbs.

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It was not immediately clear whether there had been an outbreak of the disease or it was just a routine exercise.

The local authority’s senior public relations officer Nesisa Mpofu said by law, dog owners were required to vaccinate their pets.

“Vaccination may be done by a private veterinary surgeon, a government veterinary surgeon or by an authorised person,” she said. A fine of more than $100 may be imposed on dog owners who keep custody of unvaccinated dogs.”

Vaccination costs $1 or R10.

“Dog owners are required by law to have their dogs vaccinated against rabies disease at the age of three months and revaccinated at the age of twelve months,” Mpofu explained. “Thereafter, dog owners are requested to have their dogs vaccinated against rabies annually.”

Any person who acquires a dog with neither tattoo marks on the ears nor rabies vaccination certificate, she said, should ensure that dog is vaccinated within seven days of obtaining it, if it is three months old or more.