One of the dogs that attacked and killed grandson of former Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua in Ring Road Estate.[ Photo/Standard]
An animal rights group wants the dogs that killed the late Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua grandson to be spared.This is after Nyeri Central OCPD Muinde Kioko said on Friday that the animals might have to be killed."We have to monitor and observe the dogs and that is being done with the help of a vet. If we find that they are constantly violent they will be put down," Mr. Kioko said.But the World Animal Protection group in a statement sent to newsrooms, have called on authorities to take action on the owner."The death of Wilson Ngatia, two-year-old boy who was mauled by neighbor's dogs in Nyeri is unfortunate and sad," the statement read.
The agency argues that how pet owners treat their dogs can lead to aggression and therefore they should be held responsible.
"Just like humans, dogs have fundamental freedoms, which is violated hence leads to aggression to the extent of killing people including their owners," said Dr. Emily Mudoga, the Manager at World Animal Protection."In addition, undue harassment and mistreatment such as beating, kicking or shouting can lead to dogs having a negative attitude to humans they encounter," Mudoga noted.Last Friday, the owner of the dogs, Anthony Gatara and handler John Njuguna were charged with negligence.