Ongwediva clamps down on stray dogs and careless owners

The Ongwediva Town Council has warned dog owners about legal action as free-roaming pets increasingly threaten residents’ safety and cause property damage across the town.

Ongwediva spokesperson Ottilie Shingenge says non-compliance may result in legal action in accordance with local laws, such as liability for any injuries or damages caused and potential pet removal.

She says the decision to clamp down on the owners of roaming dogs was prompted by a sharp increase in dog bite incidents across the town.

“It is important to remember that dogs can pose dangers to children, the elderly, and residents. Therefore, the council is strongly urging all dog owners to ensure their dogs are properly cared for, supervised, and kept secure at all times,” Shingenge says.

The council will thus seek that the owners of free-roaming pets face stiff sanctions should their dogs be found loitering in the streets.

“Let’s work together collectively to maintain a safer, more harmonious community and a friendly environment for everyone. Your cooperation and adherence to this urgent plea will be highly appreciated,” Shingenge says. Ongwediva resident Venita Amukushu says stray dogs are a danger to residents as they cause damage to property and people.

“I applaud the town council for taking such action, because free-roaming dogs are dangerous. Last year, a child was attacked by a free-roaming dog while on her way home from school.

“Luckily, the onlookers managed to chase the dog off and she was rushed to the clinic. Free-roaming dogs are dangerous, because they sometimes suffer from rabies,” she says. Amukushu says the neighbourhood watch has on several occasions complained about the free-roaming dogs in the streets that are causing damage to their property, but their complaints have fallen on deaf ears.

A resident of Hanover at Ongwediva, Kaarina Nuyoma, echoes these sentiments, urging dog owners to ensure their properties are fully fenced and gated, and to keep their dogs on a leash when outside their property. “For far too long now, we have suffered from free-roaming dogs in our streets. Some dog owners do not care about their dogs because they let the dogs roam the streets, and sometimes they don’t even feed them, causing the dogs to go astray,” she says.

She urges pet owners to not be negligent.

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