Stray dogs. (Courtesy)

At least 116 stray dogs have been killed in Lafon County of Eastern Equatoria State following increasing cases of dog bite, local authorities said.

Lafon Commissioner Magisto Ukach said he has ordered the killing of stray dogs after the animals became wild leading to 67 cases of attacks against people.

Magisto Ukach said the county authorities have taken the decision as a short-term intervention.

The county official stated that the other option is the possibility of vaccinating all dogs, which he says requires support from health partners.

“The order was issued on date 9, which was Monday this week, when the community started operation of killing dogs,” Ukach told Eye Radio.

“From Monday up to today, according to our report, we have killed 116 dogs, most of the dogs which remain are at large, they are also hiding, and they ran into the bush.”

Commissioner Ukach said the situation could get out of hand if the government and health partners fail to carry out the vaccinate their dogs.

The official said 67 people were bitten by dogs from July to September 2023.

“We have a three-month report since July to September in this period of time we registered 67 cases of dogs bite, in across the county of Lafon or in three payam of Lafon this is what we have so far.”

Mad or stray dogs can transmit rabies – a viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain in humans and other mammals.

Early symptoms can include fever and tingling at the site of exposure. Rabies can be prevented through early vaccination.