SHILLONG, SEP 1: The East Khasi Hills administration has launched a pilot project at Laban to eliminate dog-mediated rabies amid a surge in dog bite cases.
DC Abhilash Baranwal said the district has already logged over 7,500 bite cases in the last eight months, more than the total cases recorded in 2023.
“This is part of the National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination. The number is alarmingly high and on an exponential rise, and many cases go unreported. Fortunately no death has occurred as most dogs were not rabid, but rabies is 100% fatal and 100% preventable,” Baranwal said.
He said community leaders, Rangbah Shnongs and faith leaders were consulted, and all flagged stray dog menace as a major concern.
ADC F. Basan said 80% of the 2,823 cases reported from January to August were from pet dogs.
“The Dorbar Shnongs will have to do enumeration and registration of pet dogs, facilitate vaccination, identify stray dog frequenting areas and regulate feeding spots. Indiscriminate feeding must stop,” Basan said.
He said owners of aggressive breeds like Pitbull, Rottweiler, German Shepherd and Doberman must ensure their dogs do not harm pedestrians and put up warning notices at their residences.
Dorbars have been empowered to file FIRs and impose fines on habitual violators, and all bite incidents must be reported to police, he added.
