RUKWA (Tanzania), Dec 12 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — TRAGEDY struck Sumbawanga Municipality in Rukwa Region Thursday when two siblings, Daud Swedi (12) and Fesi Kakozi (10), were mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs.
The two children, students at Izia Primary School, were attacked as they walked home from school.
Sokolo Street Chairman, Abuel Mwakitalima, confirmed that the incident occurred on Sokolo Street in Katandala D area.
The children’s grieving mother, Johari Issa, who resides in Sokolo Street, Kizwite, said after her sons failed to return home, she reported their disappearance to the Sumbawanga Police Station.
The police directed her to the Rukwa Referral Hospital, where she was devastated to identify the bodies of her beloved children in the morgue.
Many residents of Sumbawanga expressed deep concern over the increasing number of stray dogs roaming the streets. They fear that these animals pose a significant threat to public health, particularly the risk of rabies.
“We are genuinely concerned about our safety, especially our children,” said Emmy Jackson, a resident of Sokolo Street in Kizwite Ward. “The streets are infested with stray dogs.”
“These dogs are dangerous and have already claimed two innocent lives. They often bite people and even a single bite can lead to serious health risks, including rabies. Treating a dog bite requires multiple vaccinations, which can be costly for many families. It’s crucial for the government to take immediate action to control the stray dog population,” she emphasised.
A survey conducted by the Daily News revealed that stray dogs were prevalent in several neighbourhoods of Sumbawanga, including Izia, Majengo, Katandala, Kizwite, Mazwi and Uwanja wa Ndege.
Afsa Ngao, a resident of Mageti Meusi, echoed the concerns of many residents. “The government must take decisive action to eliminate these dangerous animals from our streets,” she said. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
