Residents of Munge-CBD village in Mautuma Ward, Lugari Constituency, Kakamega County, have expressed shock and concern after a 32-year-old man was allegedly caught eating a neighbour’s dog, amid claims that he had stolen and eaten six dogs.
The incident came to light after Dan Kalamu, the owner of the dogs, noticed that his animals had been disappearing one after another.
Kalamu said his suspicions led him to investigate, eventually discovering that the missing dogs were allegedly being consumed by the man.
Recounting the incident, Kalamu said he was alerted to a gathering of residents at around 1am, where he was informed that the suspect had been found roasting a dog he had allegedly stolen.
“I arrived at around 1am and found people gathered in the area. I was stopped and directed into the house, where I was told that the man had been caught roasting a dog he had stolen. When I entered, I confirmed that the dog belonged to me,” Kalamu said.
He added that residents searched for the suspect after he allegedly fled before eventually finding him and bringing him back.
According to Kalamu, the man admitted to taking his dog and eating it.
The complainant said they found the suspect with prepared food, including soup, roasted meat and a large serving of ugali.
He also claimed that dried dog legs were found nearby, raising further questions about the alleged disappearance of the animals.
Kalamu further alleged that the suspect roasted the dogs over an open fire, removed their fur and cut the meat into pieces before cooking and eating it with ugali.
The incident has sparked anger among residents, some of whom say they are increasingly worried about their safety and that of their children.
One resident said the community had previously heard of people stealing chickens for food but was shocked by the allegations involving dogs.
“I have never witnessed anything like this. We were used to hearing about people stealing chickens, roasting them and eating them, but now he has moved from chickens to dogs,” the resident said.
The resident added that parents were concerned about their children's safety whenever they left home to attend school or visit other places.
The concerns have prompted calls for greater awareness among children about different animals and their roles in the community.
The resident urged teachers to use lessons, including Physical Education sessions, to help children understand the distinction between animals commonly raised for food and those kept for security and companionship.
“Children should be taught about animals such as cows, goats and chickens, which are commonly used for food, and dogs, which also help protect our homes. Teachers should help children understand the different roles animals play in our lives,” the resident said.
However, the allegations against the 32-year-old man have yet to be independently verified, and details regarding any police action or possible charges were not immediately available.
The incident has left residents seeking answers over the reported disappearance of the dogs and calling for the matter to be addressed by the relevant authorities.
