HARARE
–
A
13-year-old
schoolgirl
was
killed
by
three
vicious
dogs
in
Nyabira,
Mashonaland
West,
this
week,
prompting
police
to
launch
an
investigation
and
arrest
the
animals’
owner.
The
victim,
identified
as
Caroline
Chari,
was
attacked
on
September
29
while
walking
home
from
school
with
four
friends
at
St
Mannocks
Farm.
According
to
police,
the
group
of
children
scattered
when
the
dogs
charged
at
them,
but
the
animals
caught
up
with
Chari
and
fatally
mauled
her.
Police
spokesman
Commissioner
Paul
Nyathi
confirmed
the
arrest
of
the
dogs’
owner,
50-year-old
Gift
Jambaya.
Investigations
revealed
that
the
dogs
were
last
vaccinated
in
2024
and
were
not
part
of
the
Department
of
Veterinary
Services’
2025
rabies
vaccination
programme.
“The
Zimbabwe
Republic
Police
is
disturbed
by
the
increasing
trend
of
vicious
dogs
being
allowed
to
roam
freely
without
leashes
or
proper
supervision.
It
is
the
responsibility
of
dog
owners
to
ensure
public
safety,”
Nyathi
said
in
a
statement.
Authorities
say
joint
operations
with
the
Society
for
the
Prevention
of
Cruelty
to
Animals,
local
authorities,
and
the
Ministry
of
Health
have
been
stepped
up
to
impound
stray
dogs
and
enforce
compliance
with
safety
regulations.