Kayonza – Chaos erupted in Rugendabari village in Kayonza District after twelve goats were bitten to death by stray dogs yesterday.Angry residents of the area, particularly those who lost their goats, called for immediate compensation and killing of the dogs.Pandemonium ensued as dog and goat owners brought together by grass root leaders to seek a common solution took turns to express their views.The two parties almost exchanged blows but were restrained by the leaders and local defence.Viviane Kirungi, a middle aged woman who lost two goats to the dogs, said she desperately needed compensation.She noted that villagers never had any idea on how dogs were supposed to be tamed.“A dog is man’s best friend but when poorly tamed, it is his worst enemy,” Kirungi said.“We are so wronged...careless people own dogs that loiter around. I need quick compensation. They (goats) are economically important to me. I get school fees for my children from goat rearing,” she said.Jean d’Amour Habimana, a resident of the area, wondered how people were allowed to keep dogs in what he termed a ‘funny way’.He said that owning dogs was not of economic importance to the community, adding that the dogs were only liabilities to the community and should thus be killed.“The dogs causing chaos roam around the whole day killing goats because they have to feed...owners don’t feed them. So, we shouldn’t blame the dogs but whoever allows the situation to continue. The dogs should be killed forthwith,” Habimana said angrily. Theogene Gahutu, the area leader, said that allowing dogs to menace communities had to stop.The dog owners were ordered to kill them and also compensate the aggrieved parties.“I challenged people to make a choice between owning dogs or goats. They chose goats...Our village must be free of dogs immediately. Dog owners must kill them on their own as they prepare compensation,” he said.Over twelve dog owners were also immediately detained.
