© Francis Mugerwa.Ms Rosemary Nyangoma nurses her son who was attacked by a chimpanzee last week. Doctors say his health has improved.
The family of a two-month-old baby boy, who was injured by a chimpanzee in Hoima District last week, is demanding compensation from government.
The victim's father, Mr Nyansio Byaruhanga,
said his son sustained multiple injuries on his head and private parts. "Chimpanzees and other wild animals are supposed to be in parks and game reserves.
But it strayed into our garden and injured my son. Government should compensate us," Mr Byaruhanga said. He expressed worry whether his son will be able to father children given the injury the baby sustained in the private parts.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority's (UWA) spokesperson, Mr Jossy Muhangi, described the incident as unfortunate, but said the authority would not compensate the family. "There is no provision in the law for us to compensate in such a case," Mr Muhanji said, adding that UWA does not compensate victims in communities neighbouring parks and game reserves.
Comment: The following data were extracted from the Wiki page, Fatal dog attacks in the United States and might prove instructive to have a brief look at. Prior to 2001 all deaths annually reported due to dog attacks numbered in single digits. In 2001 itself, 14 were recorded, in 2002 only 6 were noted, in 2003 - 14, 2004 - 16, 2005 - 28, 2006 - 32, 2007 - 34, 2008 - 23, 2009 - 31, 2010 - 37, 2011 - 33, 2012 -35, 2013 - 32 and finally this year, 25 so far. Clearly the overall trend is upward and coupled with the recent reports below, gleaned from across globe, indicate that something seems to be seriously disturbing man's best friend of late.
Dog attacks surging in Yarra Ranges, Australia
Indore reports at least 50 dog bite cases daily, India
Nine people killed by feral dog attacks in Rumbek, Sudan
Modesto, California: Vicious dogs roaming streets, chasing people and trapping them inside homes
Animal crackers: As well as terrorising people in Modesto, crazy dogs are now attacking stationary cars
UK: 300 per cent rise in the number of dogs attacks in Stevenage since January