Stray dogs becoming a nuisance

A stray animal is defined as any household pet that is without a home and roams the streets most of the time. These animals feed from refuse dumps or good Samaritans with dogs being the most popular. While not all stray dogs are dangerous, it is advisable to keep as far away as possible, to avoid bites that could carry infections such as rabies.

The Lüderitz Town Council, in close cooperation with the SPCA is determined to bring the number of stray dogs in town to zero. The Health Department has recorded fewer cases of stray dogs this year, compared to last year this time. However, emphasis was made that this is only achievable with the assistance of the community. The presence of stray dogs on pavements is not only a health risk, but an eye sore too. Hence, the community is encouraged to keep their dogs within their yards and report stray dogs to achieve a stray-dogs-free town.

• Stray dog identified – once a stray dog is identified in town or anywhere else in public, it is traced and taken by the SPCA with the assistance of the Council cleansing team.
• Owner traced – the Council cleansing team goes out of its way to track down the dog owner.
• Healthy dogs neutered and returned to owner – once the owner of the dog is identified, the dog is taken to the SPCA, where healthy dogs that are free from diseases are neutered/spayed – surgical procedures, performed by a veterinarian which renders the animal’s capability of reproducing. This minimises the uncontrolled breeding of dogs.
• Sick dogs put down – in cases were an animal is sick, it is put down (killed) by the vet, while dogs without owners are kept in dog kennels at the SPCA premises.