The Municipality of Walvis Bay has noted an increase in the number of incidents where people are attacked and bitten by ferocious dogs in the streets. This has become a matter of great concern and residents are therefore urged to take proper care of their dogs, especially if they are vicious.
The owner whose dog injures a person can face severe consequences, including lianility for the medical expenses and payment of compensation to that injured person. In addition, the dog in question may have to be removed and destroyed by the officials of the Council.Officials of the Ministry of Health and Social Services have also complained about the increase in the number of patients who are victims of dog attacks and the costs involved to treat such people. These wasted resources could be channeled to more urgent matters like TB treatment, according to the health officials.
In accordance with the relevant municipal bylaws, Council officials will use their powers to remove and destroy any dog that attacks a person unless a reasonable explanation is given. The owner of such a dog will be issued with a fine for failing to control the animal. Any person who owns a ferocious dog, and is not able to handle it must either take such a dog to a veterinarian to be put down against payment of a fee, or surrender it to the SPCA. The SPCA has the discretion to accept or reject such a dog.
Any person who has suffered a dog attack, witnessed one or is aware of a vicious dog that is not kept under control, must not hesitate to report it to the Animal Control Officer at Telephone number 064-2013288.
Dog owners are also reminded to renew their dog licences. The dog licences expire annually on 31 December and are renewable between 01 January and 31 March, after which penalties for late payments are charged. The officials of the Council are doing licence inspections on a daily basis.