Residents of the central Ethiopian town of Hossana were forced by powerful community groups to kill hundreds of dogs after three children died from rabies bites.
The orders were issued with threats of fines and arrests for any owner who failed to kill their dogs, even if vaccinated. The directive followed the death of three children and hospitalization of about 80 people, according to local mayor Samuel Shigute.
Eyewitnesses report that some owners began hating both hanging and beating their pets, while others had their dogs taken to be killed. The BBC has seen graphic images of dogs hanging from trees and bodies lying on the ground.
The community associations behind the orders claim affiliation with local government, but mayor Shigute called the killings illegal and argued no official order was issued.
One unnamed resident said he was ordered to kill a dog but could not do it himself, so he handed the animal over for others. He described the dog as a five‑year‑old guard dog that was vaccinated.
Veterinarian Alaazar Ayele estimates that between 400 and 450 dogs were killed in a few days, describing the killings as immoral and unacceptable under law and culture.
Said the local police stopped the killings within a day, but animal rights organiser Feven Melese notes that people are still asking households to remove unvaccinated dogs. The mayor requested an investigation, while Melese called for swift action from authorities.
In Ethiopia it is illegal to kill animals in public spaces or cause them to suffer cruel treatment. Residents faced fines of 50,000 birr ($300) if they did not comply with the directive.
Understanding the tragedy requires looking at rabies control, community health, and animal welfare in a context where a balance is desperately needed.
