RWAMAGANA - Rwamagana District authorities have expressed concern over the rising number of stray dogs in the area.

They said the dogs usually appear at night in large numbers, and attack domestic animals, often killing them.

Dr. Jean de Dieu Niyitanga, the district veterinary officer, said authorities have made a decision to cull up to 200 stray dogs.

He cited a recent case where 27 sheep were killed by the dogs in Musha and Muyumbu sectors.

"Packs of stray dogs have been attacking residents for a long time,” Niyitanga said, adding that the latest attack triggered the decision to kill them.

He advised dog owners to vaccinate their pets and keep them in compounds.

The official also claimed that Kigali residents had dumped most of the stray dogs in Rwamagana.

"We are going to trap Kigali people who use the cover of the night, to dump old and unwanted dogs in Rwamagana sectors neighbouring Kigali,” he warned.

Jean Marie Ndatimana, 56, a resident of Muyumbo Sector, who alleges to have lost six goats to the stray dogs, said that the decision to kill them was long overdue.

He added that some of these dogs have gone as far as attacking children going to and from school.

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