Dog owners in Rwanda have been asked to register their pets with village authorities and present proof of annual rabies vaccination, as part of a call issued by Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB).

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The call, issued on August 29, is based on the 2008 animal health law and a 2020 ministerial order, both aimed at preventing irresponsible ownership that can put communities at risk.

Officials say the measures are meant to strengthen public health and safety, especially as more families in cities like Kigali keep dogs for home security.

"These measures are not only about protecting households but also about safeguarding the entire community,” said Solange Uwituze, RAB’s Acting Director General.

In addition to mandatory vaccination, the new regulations stipulate that dogs taken outside home must be supervised by an adult, kept on a chain, and fitted with a muzzle in public spaces.

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"Failure to comply will result in legal penalties,” reads a statement from RAB.

Prevention of rabies remains a key reason behind the regulations. The viral disease, which attacks the central nervous system, is transmitted mainly through dog bites.

"One case is an outbreak”

Dr Richard Nduwayezu, Director of Research and Partnerships at the Welfare for Animals Guild, told The New Times that stronger measures are needed for rabies surveillance, stressing that "even a single case is considered an outbreak.”

"When a dog infects you with rabies, it almost always leads to death. We have seen cases of dogs abandoned on the streets by their owners, and rabies does not only affect people but also livestock.

For instance, in Eastern Province, there have been cases of dogs biting cattle. Authorities have therefore committed to ensuring that rabies is completely eradicated within the next five years,” he said.

Nduwayezu also noted the absence of reliable systems at the village level to track vaccination.

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"Information on vaccinated and unvaccinated dogs should be entered into a database, just like during Covid-19 when people’s vaccination records could be accessed at any time,” he explained.

He further warned about the risks posed by stray and uncontrolled dog populations.

"One female dog can produce up to 20 puppies annually, and if left unchecked, its descendants could number in thousands within just six years. This fuels illness, neglect, and the spread of rabies,” he said.

Nduwayezu added that rabies vaccination is not optional but a legal requirement.

"Each dog must carry an official vaccine card signed by a licensed veterinarian and wear a collar with the owner’s contact information, which can easily be obtained from vet clinics and pet shops in Kigali,” he emphasized.

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According to the Fifth Population and Housing Census by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), private households across the country own an estimated 66,000 dogs.

Eastern Province accounts for the largest share with 21,504, followed by Kigali City with 13,710 and Southern Province with 13,570. Both Northern and Western Provinces each have fewer than 10,000 dogs.