In brief
Three children died in the town of Hossana, Ethiopia, after bites from unvaccinated dogs, sparking a community order to slaughter all dogs. The directive was issued by local community groups and threatened fines and arrests if owners did not comply. While nearly 400 to 450 dogs were killed in a few days, some owners resisted, surrendering their pets to authorities. Local officials and animal‑rights advocates have condemned the killings as illegal and inhumane.
Residents in the Ethiopian town of Hossana were ordered by community groups to kill hundreds of their own dogs after a local rabies outbreak claimed three children’s lives.
The groups warned owners that they would be fined 50,000 birr (about $300) or arrested if they did not kill the dogs, even if the animals were vaccinated.
Shots from the townshift reveal that some owners hanged or beat their pets, while others surrendered them to the community authorities for execution.
Images show dogs hanging from trees and others lying on fields with ropes around their necks; the BBC could not publish graphic photos.
Mayor Samuel Shigute said the killings were illegal and not sanctioned by the municipality, though police reportedly stopped many executions within a day.
Veterinary officer Alaazar Ayele estimated that between 400 and 450 dogs were slaughtered in the first few days, describing the act as immoral and contrary to law and religion.
Animal‑rights advocate Feven Melese warned that individuals are still pressuring owners to get rid of unvaccinated dogs, urging swift government action.
The outbreak underscores that unvaccinated dogs usually cannot survive rabies and are routinely slaughtered to prevent human infection once symptoms appear.
In Ethiopia, it is illegal to kill animals in public spaces or subject them to cruel treatment. Local police investigation continues to identify responsible parties.
