from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – A COCK is to be quarantined and its owner faces investigations over a series of attacks by his bird against children in Zambia.
This is an unprecedented development in the Southern African country.
The Kanyama Police Station in the capital, Lusaka, recorded a report in which a boy aged one-year-and eight months sustained injuries after being attacked by the rooster.
This reportedly occurred on Sunday.
The incident was reported by the victim’s father, a 42-year-old resident of the same locality in Kanyama.
Police said preliminary investigations indicate that on the material day, the child was playing outside the house with his elder sibling when a rooster, owned by their 43-year-old landlord, suddenly attacked and inflicted a deep cut on the child’s head.
“It is alleged that the same rooster has a history of aggressive behaviour and has previously attacked other children in the area,” said Godfrey Chilabi, Police
Assistant Public Relations Officer.
Meanwhile, a medical report was issued, and the child was rushed to the hospital for treatment, where he was attended to and later discharged.
Chilabo said the Zambia Police Service had engaged relevant stakeholders, including the Veterinary Department for the quarantine of the bird and necessary veterinary forensic investigations.
It has also engaged the Lusaka City Council for enforcement actions against the owner of the bird in accordance with Sections of the Public Health Act.
– CAJ News