Aweil residents appeal to authorities to vaccinate dogs

By Hou Akot Hou

Residents of Aweil town in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State have appealed to authorities to speed up vaccination of stray dogs amid rise in cases of rabies.

James Akol Akoon, a relative of three kids that were bitten by a wild dog at Makuackiir Boma in Madhol Payam on Wednesday called on authorities in the state ministry of animal resources to vaccinate stray dogs to prevent loss of lives.

“The wild dog which was chasing chicken bit three children and their grandmother. The four were rushed to MSF that helped save their lives from rabies which could have killed them,” Akoon told Juba Echo in Aweil town.

Akoon said majority of residents cannot afford vaccines for rabies which cost up to 10,000 South Sudanese Pounds.

He appreciated the Medicine Sans Frontiers for coming to their rescue.

The Director General in the Ministry of Animal Resources Luka Manut Yel acknowledged the widespread presence of stray dogs which have caused dozens of death from rabies.

 He however, said that they have run out of vaccines for rabies.

 “I am appealing to the people of Makuac-Kiir and the entire state to always be vigilant on seeing the wild dogs, always Kill them instantly when seen, we are going to do more in doing the needful,” said Manut.