The number of dog bite cases in Kanglung Gewog, Trashigang has been increasing in tandem over the last one year.
Going by the records maintained with the Kanglung Basic Health Unit (BHU), around 270 cases have been reported last year. However, thankfully none of the cases were of rabies infection.
Recently, one undergrad student of Sherubtse College fell from the edge of the basketball court while trying to get rid of the dog that came chasing after the student. BHU’s stats from January until the first week of June revealed that over 150 medical cases related to canine bites have been treated.
Locals are highly perturbed about the issue. They said local authorities must enforce effective measures to address the menace of canine population.
“We witnessed rampant dog bite cases this year and we fear of rabies outbreak since dogs attack humans. At nights, it’s more fearful as dogs suddenly bark and attempt to bite also,” said a man named Tenzin Phuntsho.
Some parents shared concerns of sending their children to schools.
“We really worry that dog might attack our children on the walk to school,” said Sangaymo.
Few others are already escorting their kids to school since they are worried that dogs might bite their children on the way to school.
“It is important for parents to know dog’s ecology, its behavioral attitude and not allow their child to play with a dog especially when they are in groups,” said Dr. Jamyang Namgyal, the Veterinary Officer of livestock sector in Trashigang.
The veterinarians felt that that since numerous public institutions are located in Kanglung, canines have easy access to food. That’s why numbers swell. But, veterinary officials said that they vaccinated over 1600 dogs in the area following rabies outbreak in Trashigang town earlier this year.
They will replicate the vaccination programme in Sherubtse College campus next month. The programme is part of dog population control project which is carried out annually throughout the country.
