Residents of Gitaru in Kikuyu sub-county have appealed to the County Government of Kiambu to step in and get rid of stray dogs that are posing a threat to the local community.
The residents claim the dogs have been roaming in the area unattended and if the public health personnel mandated to attend to such problems does not act urgently, the situation might get out of hand.
Joseph Maina, a resident said that the rogue animals roaming in the villages was a serious health threat since some of the dogs might have the dreaded rabies disease, which is dangerous if not treated immediately.
Maina added that they were also alarmed by the fact that their children might be bitten and infected with the deadly rabies disease since they are a more vulnerable, thus an easy prey as compared to the adults.
Jane Wangeci, another resident asked dog owners in the area to ensure that their dogs do not roam around and also to have them vaccinated against rabies.
She called upon the public health officers in the area to intensify public awareness campaigns and to educate locals owning dogs on the need to give their dogs rabies shots.
The public health officer at the county government office in the area was not available for comment as he did not respond to our calls.