The incident is the first to happen in the county. [Photo/ kidsearch.com]
A man from Katakwa village in Busia’s Teso North sub-county is in hospital after being attacked and bitten by a donkey he has been taking care of for the last seven years.
The donkey bit and damaged his elbow.
Fredrick Omusugu who also suffered injuries on the chest and knee after being trampled on by the animal was rushed to Malakisi Health Centre for treatment.
“I was tying the donkey with a rope in the grass field when it attacked me. Students who were going to school saved me by hitting the donkey. I am still undecided on what to do with it,” he said.
The melodrama has left area residents in shock after the bizarre incident. Nobody could dare move closer to the animal for fear of being attacked.
Angurai South Ward Member of the County Assembly Grace Omasete who raised the matter on the floor of the County Assembly appealed to the County Agriculture Executive Dr Moses Osia to ensure that donkeys were also included among livestock vaccinated against contagious diseases.
Busia County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and Animal Resources Dr Moses Osia admitted that the attack was the first to happen in Busia.
However, Dr Osia said donkeys don’t cause rabies unless there is a history of the donkey having been bitten by a rabid dog.
The World Health Organisation and World Animal Health Organisation recommends the following in the event of a donkey bite.
Wash the bitten part with saline and hydrogen peroxide. Administer prophylactic antibiotic tetanus antitoxin, call a veterinary officer to examine the donkey and administer rabies vaccine if need be.