In a peaceful neighborhood of the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, the shadow of a tragedy hits the community hard. November 25, 2024 will be remembered as the day a young girl of only 12 years old lost her life in a brutal manner, attacked by a Pitbull dog. The event, broadcast on social networks, quickly sent shockwaves throughout the country.
The scene took place on private property, leaving the victim defenseless against the incredible violence of the animal. In an act of cowardice, the owner of the dog fled, leaving behind a tragedy that could have been avoided. Local authorities mobilized to find the fugitive and ensure the safety of the premises.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that such a tragedy has occurred in Kinshasa. In February 2022, a Pitbull had already fatally attacked a 17-month-old baby, highlighting the potential dangers associated with this breed of dog. Following this incident, the authorities had taken strict measures prohibiting the breeding of purebred dogs in the capital.
Faced with this new tragedy, the provincial Minister of Health took immediate action by issuing a circular prohibiting the possession of purebred dogs without prior certification. These actions were ordered by the governor of the city, thus highlighting the need for rigorous application of the regulations in force.
This terrible event was also an opportunity to recall the importance of regulating the breeding, importation and possession of dangerous dogs. President Félix Tshisekedi had already highlighted this issue during a Council of Ministers in April 2024, calling for strict measures to avoid new tragedies of this kind.
Kinshasa is unfortunately not an isolated case in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Kwilu province, stray dog attacks have also resulted in deaths, highlighting the need for massive awareness raising and concrete measures to protect the population.
In conclusion, these tragic events highlight the urgent need for stricter regulations regarding the ownership and breeding of dangerous breed dogs. It is essential that the authorities act quickly and decisively to prevent such tragedies in the future. The lives of our citizens must not be put at risk by uncontrolled animals.