Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit

Category: Dogs | Date: Feb 25 2007 | By: admin

The prolonged drought forced the Maasai men to move their cattle near Lolgorian town, an hour drive from Kawai. Animals left in the boma are goats, sheep, dogs and cats. Most of my work will be vaccination of dogs and cats until cattle returns to this area.

Administration of vaccine to dogs and cats is a simple job which would normally take 10 seconds. That is, if the dogs are used to being handled by humans. Vaccination of untamed dogs which has never being chained or handled can be a difficult task. Maasai dogs not being used to mzungu (white person) is another problem. The dogs are happy to walk besides the herdsman, but they ran away as soon as anyone tries to restrain them. Most of the dogs run across the field, hop over the seasonal stream and will dash into thick bush. I have tried putting a chain on some dogs. Big mistake. The dog goes into panic. It bites, rolls and twists, bumps into object, and pretty much tries to kill itself. 　　Handling such dog without a proper dog catcher is too risky. Maasai are excellent in handling and restraining livestock, but they surely don’t know how to handle dogs. I was shocked to find out that their idea of dog restrain was grabbing two ears, or both front legs. Most guys will not even volunteer restraining their own dogs. They fear that the dog will retaliate and bite back.