Itanagar: 117 dog bite cases reported in 8 days

Weeks after over 100 dog bite cases were reported in Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar, it seems rather an unpleasant scenario has emerged wherein stray dogs are being killed indiscriminately.

This has prompted the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) to issue a statement urging people not to kill dogs and condemn such actions in the strongest terms. Not only this, keeping in mind about the dog bite cases and also the situation prevailing thereafter, the authorities concerned have informed that there will be an eviction of stray dogs in a day or two.

Soon after reports of dog bite cases went viral, a Corporator of the IMC had issued a statement regarding killing of dogs.

The statement read, “The Itanagar Muncipal Corporation strongly condemns the unfortunate viral press statement issued by Corporator, Ward No. 13, Itanagar Municipal Corporation regarding killing of stray animals under Itanagar Municipal Corporation jurisdiction.

The Hon’ble Corporator Ward No.13, IMC has conveyed his regret on the matter and withdrew his statement. Further, Itanagar Municipal Corporation in coordination with District Administration, Itanagar Capital Region and concerned line departments are initiating eviction of stray dogs under its jurisdiction and appeals all the citizens of Itanagar Capital Region for cooperation and not to kill stray dogs.”

Itanagar Municipal Corporation Joint Commissioner Datum Gadi said, ” It is very unfortunate that dogs are being killed indisriminately. A corporator had given a statement, I personally called him (Corporator Ward No. 13) up and he expressed regret over whatever he had said. He conveyed us that he has withdrawn his comment.

I want to appeal the public there is a veterinary department here, there is the district administration, the Itanagar Municipal Corporation is also here, if there is any issue anybody can contact us. People can also contact Tarun Jamoh’s NGO, we all are ready to provide assistance. I want to appeal the public that please do not kill the dogs, we are taking important steps to vaccinate them. We also appeal the pet owners to keep their pets under proper surveillance and not let them come out and also vaccinate them properly. Vaccines are easily available in the market. Dog lovers need to take care of the dogs. This is our only appeal from the IMC and the Itanagar District Administration that do not kill the dogs.”

The Itanagar Municipal Corporation Joint Commissioner further informed that the authorities have already roped in Arunachal Dog and Cat Rescue- an NGO for eviction of stray dogs and keeping them at a secured place.

“The Itanagar Municipal Coporation along with the Itanagar District Administration had jointly called for a meeting. There is an NGO, Arunachal Dogs and Cats Rescue, representatives of this organisation were also present in the meeting. We have provided donations to the NGO from the IMC as well as from the district administration, Ward 19 Corporator has also given donation, we have collected some funds and handed it over to Tarun Jamoh, who runs the NGO.

The dog catching materials are not easily available here so he is purchasing it from Delhi. Now Jamoh is in Guwahati and after her returns it (eviction) will begin. We are providing adequate number of vehicles to collect the stray dogs. There was a big question as to where the stray dogs will be kept? So we have found a place in Lekhi, there is a building there, the dogs will be kept there in proper cage.

We have deployed men and material at the site, there will be proper barricading with bamboo. In a day or two after Tarun Jamoh arrives, the eviction will begin,” Datum Gadi said.

The twin capital city of Naharlagun and Itanagar has witnessed a sharp rise in dog bite incidents, with a total of 117 cases . The dog bite cases started to report from 1 may to 8.

Among these, 34 cases were recorded in a single day at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS), raising alarm bells among local authorities.

Naharlagun bore the brunt of the surge, with 74 reported cases concentrated in various areas including Lekhi public school vicinity, Takar complex and stadium area, medical colony, and others.

It is reported that, 11 victims fell prey to a single white-colored dog in Naharlagun.

The Identified high-risk areas within Naharlagun township include locations near Kankar Nallah A Sector, Youth Hostel, Dominos, Manju Bakery, Nigal Colony, and others. The model villages of I & II and G Extension emerged as the most affected areas, with 12 and 10 reported cases respectively.

In Itanagar, 32 cases were reported, including 11 cases of bites from other animals within a week, further compounding the public health challenge.