Five-year-old boy killed by stray dogs on the way to school in Sembabule

SEMBABULE, UGANDA: Residents of Kayunga “B” village, Mitete sub-county in Sembabule district were last week gripped with grief and anger after a pack of dangerous dogs attacked and killed a five-year-old en route to his school.

The victim identified as Matovu Dan was living with his parents at Kayunga “B” village, Manyama Parish Mitete sub-county in Sembabule district.

The victim’s father Mr Nyansio Matovu said his son was trekking to school in the wee hours of last Thursday morning when he was attacked by a pack of about six dogs that mauled him to death.

“He was heading to Kayunga nursery school where he has been studying in primary one before he got attacked. By the time locals who were in the nearby gardens responded, the dogs had already pulled out his intestines. He died before I even arrived,” the father said.

Kayunga village LCI chairperson, Mr Sam Lukanga said they had earlier reported to veterinary authorities in the district about the increase in the number of stray dogs in the area but there was no action taken.
“We have been complaining all along to all concerned authorities about the increased number of stray dogs but there was no response and now we have started losing people to dogs. We appeal to the veterinary office in Sembabule to immediately do something to contain the dogs,” he said.

He said both Mateete and Miteete sub counties have witnessed an increase in the number of stray dogs posing a danger to residents. He said some residents had already lost their livestock and birds to dog attacks.

When contacted, the district veterinary officer, Dr Angello Ssali said he had not received any fresh report about stray dogs in Mateete Sub County.
“I don’t have reports on stray dogs in Mateete Sub County. The only report we got was in September this year. We vaccinated most of the stray dogs and killed others in the same sub county,” he said.

While addressing the country at the weekly security briefing yesterday, SCP Fred Enanga the forces’ spokesperson confirmed the incident and said police detectives had already launched a manhunt for the owner of the deadly canines to be answerable for the attack.

“Our Police are actively investigating the owner of these dogs and calling upon members of the public who might have information about the owners to reach out to the Police,” Mr Enanga said, before adding; “We strongly appeal to anyone within Mateete who knows or has information that can lead us to the owner of the pack of deadly dogs, that killed an innocent primary pupil to avail it to us.”

In 2016, officials at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) said at least 300 school-going children had been bitten by stray dogs between January and March in Kampala city and at risk of contracting rabies if the animals were not vaccinated.