Authorities in Upper Nile state have started killing stray dogs which they say have been a threat and part of the insecurity in Malakal town.

Makal County Executive Director , Achuil Abwol Ayiik, told Eye Radio that a collective effort from the state ministries is underway.

“It is a joint venture, the governor of the state has issued an order authorizing the Minister of Local Government, Minister of Animal Resources, County commissioner of Malak and the Mayor, to work together and see if they can get rid of the stray dogs,” he said.  “The police need bullets and the citizens are alerted in advances so that they don’t get the cross fire.”

Last month, doctors at the Malakal Teaching Hospital reported that stray dogs were responsible for one death and more than fifteen bad bites.

In Leer County more than thirty dogs have been killed in a cull.

Officials ordered the cull after seventeen people were bitten on separate occasions.

Area Health Director David Yak said the dogs were killed by police and young boys recruited for the task.

Some traders have offered to provide rabies vaccine for free to those with dog bite wounds.

The vaccine have however been delayed due to the rains in Leer.