MPIGI — Residents of Konkoma, Maziba and Kakoola villages in Mpigi Town Council, Mpigi District, have raised alarm over what they describe as a growing menace of aggressive stray dogs that have terrorised both people and livestock.
Residents say they have spent more than a month guarding their animals day and night to protect them from the dogs, which have become increasingly violent and are now attacking people in broad daylight.
The stray dogs, reportedly without known owners, have spread across the three villages, disrupting normal life and causing widespread fear.
According to locals, the dogs attack almost any animal they encounter, including goats, cattle, pigs and poultry, often leaving them dead or seriously injured.
“We have lived here for many years but have never seen dogs as aggressive as these ones. They attack everything that moves. Many of our goats have been killed, pigs attacked in their pens, and even cattle are not spared. We spend nights chasing away the dogs instead of sleeping,” residents said.
Residents further said the dogs have now begun attacking people after finding livestock increasingly guarded.
“There are many dogs these days and they are extremely aggressive. You may think they are simply passing by, only for them to suddenly chase and attack you. I was recently attacked while going to buy some items. People had to intervene after one of the dogs bit my leg,” a resident recounted.
The attacks have also disrupted schooling, with parents now delaying children’s departure until daylight hours and encouraging them to travel in groups for safety.
“We decided that children should leave for school when the sun is up because there are more people on the roads then. They also move in groups because it is dangerous for anyone to walk alone,” residents explained.
Kakoola Village Chairperson Johnbosco Sekadde said the situation has become critical, adding that local leaders have repeatedly reported the matter to district veterinary authorities without meaningful intervention.
“I do not want to witness another death caused by dog bites. We recently buried a child who was attacked by dogs. We have asked authorities to provide poison so that the dogs can be eliminated, but our appeals have not been answered,” Sekadde said.
Mpigi Town Council Mayor Faridah Ndagire acknowledged the problem and said the council will hold an intervention meeting on Monday in the affected villages.
“The issue of aggressive dogs disturbing our people will be addressed on Monday. I also appeal to all dog owners to keep their dogs confined on that day because we do not want any confusion during the operation,” she said.
Animal health experts caution that not every dog that bites should be immediately killed. They recommend that such dogs be captured and observed for at least ten days to monitor for signs of rabies.
Veterinary authorities may order euthanasia only if rabies is confirmed or strongly suspected, while healthy animals should be managed through treatment or continued monitoring.
The Mpigi situation underscores growing concerns over stray animal control, public safety and veterinary response capacity in peri-urban communities.