THE CITY OF Windhoek has approved the dog control and management regulations, a framework designed to elevate responsible dog ownership, sharpen public safety and bolster animal welfare. These regulations respond to growing concerns about stray and uncontrolled dogs, dog attacks, animal neglect and gaps in the legal toolkit for dog management. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) supports the direction in principle, recognising that without teeth in the rules, the status quo – and the suffering it leaves in its wake – persists. WHAT THE REGULATIONS AIM TO DELIVERPublic safety improvements:Higher owner accountability should translate into fewer dog bites and roaming incidents. The dog control and management regulations are not a silver bullet.