SHILLONG : The East Khasi Hills district administration has launched a pilot project in Laban to tackle the rising number of dog bite cases and work towards eliminating dog-mediated rabies.
Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal said the district has recorded more than 7,500 dog bite cases in the first eight months of the year, surpassing the total number 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,” Baranwal said.
He said there have fortunately been no deaths from rabies reported so far, as most of the dogs involved in the incidents were not rabid.
However, he warned that rabies remains a serious public health concern.
“Rabies is 100% fatal and 100% preventable,” Baranwal said.
Community leaders consulted
The administration has consulted community leaders, Rangbah Shnongs and faith leaders as part of the pilot project.
According to Baranwal, the consultations showed a common concern over the growing problem of stray dogs in residential areas.
The administration is now seeking greater participation from local communities to control the dog population, improve vaccination coverage and prevent further bite incidents.
80% of reported bites linked to pet dogs
Additional Deputy Commissioner F. Basan said 2,823 dog bite cases were officially reported between January and August, with around 80% involving pet dogs.
He said Dorbar Shnongs would play a key role in implementing the pilot project.
“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.
The local authorities will therefore be required to identify pet dogs within their respective areas, facilitate their vaccination and monitor locations where stray dogs frequently gather.
Owners of aggressive breeds warned
The administration has also asked owners of aggressive dog breeds, including Pitbulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds and Dobermans, to take additional precautions.
Basan said owners must ensure their dogs do not pose a danger to pedestrians and should display warning notices at their residences where necessary.
Dorbar Shnongs have also been empowered to file FIRs and impose fines on habitual violators, he said.
All dog bite incidents must also be reported to the police, the administration added.
The Laban pilot project is part of the broader effort under the National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination, with the administration seeking to strengthen community-level measures to prevent dog bites and rabies transmission.