Shillong: East Khasi Hills officials are cracking down on unruly pets. Pet owners now face potential police action and FIRs under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita if their dogs bite people. Authorities want to end dog-mediated rabies by 2030.
The district reported over 7,500 bite cases during the first eight months of this year. This marks a 50 percent increase over all of 2023. Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal confirmed the spike. Additional Deputy Commissioner Ferdinand Basan noted that 2,823 of those cases occurred between January and August, with owners responsible for roughly 80 percent of the incidents.
Officials launched a pilot project in Laban to regulate ownership. Owners must register dogs with the local Dorbar Shnong and provide vaccination proof. Dangerous breeds like Pitbulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Dobermans require muzzles in public. Gates must display warning signs. Dorbar Shnongs will monitor compliance and manage stray feeding sites. Laban Dorbar Shnong secretary Raja Lyngdoh Nongpiur said, "bites had long been a local worry and that concrete steps were finally being taken."
Health workers are stocking Anti-Rabies Vaccine and Rabies Immunoglobulin supplies. Veterinary teams are already vaccinating and sterilizing strays in Laban. Support comes from HUFAN’s animal birth centre. Lower Lumparing Rangbah Shnong D. Shabong and Lumshatsngi headman Wanbok S. Lyngdoh confirmed the initiative is underway. The district aims to roll out these rules across Shillong within two months.
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