By Ignatius Sadziwa- The tragic incident in Malbereign, where a man was fatally attacked by pitbull dogs, raises serious concerns about responsible pet ownership and the need for stricter regulations. The loss of an innocent life due to negligence is disturbing. To prevent such incidents, municipalities and law enforcement agencies must enforce existing bylaws and regulations regarding animal control.

Moreover, Parliament should consider enacting laws that restrict or prohibit the domestication of dangerous animals, prioritizing public safety.

Similarly, the issue of human-wildlife conflict, particularly with elephants, requires urgent attention. With the elephant population surging to 90,000, far exceeding the carrying capacity of 34,000, culling or relocation measures are necessary to protect human lives and livelihoods.

The government’s inaction on this issue prompts urgent questions about prioritizing animal rights over human rights. It’s essential to strike a balance between conservation and public safety, ensuring that measures are taken to mitigate the risks posed by wildlife to human communities.

Our moral currency has gone to the dogs as a people. It’s unacceptable that we’re not doing more to address much appalling circumstances in our communities.

#SustainableCoexistence

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