Boy, 9, Killed by Dogs in Shocking Darwendale Incident
Tragedy has struck in Darwendale after a nine-year-old boy was mauled to death by dogs while playing with friends in the farming community. The heartbreaking incident occurred at Bonvalley Farm, located in the Zvimba District of Mashonaland West Province, last week.
According to police, the boy had been playing with other children when he was attacked. The dogs savaged him before help could arrive.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the fatal mauling and said investigations are ongoing.
ZRP Mashonaland West provincial spokesperson, Inspector Ian Kohwera, told The Herald:
“A nine-year-old boy was bitten to death by dogs at Bonvalley Farm, Darwendale, while he was playing with other children.”
The police have not disclosed the breed or the number of dogs involved. The owner of the dogs has been identified but not named. They are expected to appear in court in connection with the case.
“The owner is expected in court today,” — Inspector Ian Kohwera
Parliament Already Debating Pitbull Ban After Recent Fatal Attack
The Darwendale tragedy comes just weeks after another fatal dog attack in Harare’s Bluff Hill suburb, where 39-year-old Samuel Machara was mauled to death by pitbulls on 1 June 2025.
That incident prompted heated debate in Parliament, with lawmakers calling for a complete ban on pitbulls. Leading the call was Goromonzi West MP Biata Beatrice Karimatsenga-Nyamupinga, who said:
“When moving in the bush we fear being killed by wild animals but when we are moving in the residential areas there are dogs such as the Pitbull. The Pitbull is killing people. That dog does not listen to instructions from the owner.”
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi responded, stating:
“The Pitbull needs a licence which is different from other types of dogs because it is a very vicious dog. That is why the individual who kept a Pitbull which killed someone was arrested.”
Chinhoyi MP Leslie Mhangwa added:
“The Pitbull as a breed has become a danger to the people of Zimbabwe. Is there anything that stops us from banning the breed within the country?”
However, in the Darwendale case, the breed of dog has not been disclosed by the police.
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The post Tragedy As Boy, 9, Mauled To Death By Dogs In Darwendale appeared first on iHarare News.
