Yangyel Lhaden

Five feral dogs, from a pack of six, that mauled and killed a seven-year-old girl in Genekha on May 6 have been caught and euthanised.

The team comprising of officials from the Nationwide Accelerated Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Programme (NADPMRCP) and Thimphu dzongkhag livestock sector is looking for the last dog in Genekha to euthanise.

The girl, a class one student, was returning home from school when the incident happened.




The team found that the pack of dogs (six) who attacked the girl were free-roaming dogs.

Deputy chief veterinary officer, Karma Wangdi, said that considering the threats of these dogs to the community, the dogs were removed and eliminated in a humane manner. “This is in line with the Livestock Act of Bhutan, 2001 and Livestock Rules and Regulation of Bhutan, 2017.”

Karma Wangdi said that out of the five dogs caught, four were found to be notched or sterilised. “It is difficult to say when the last dog would be caught given the elusive behaviour of dogs.”

The principal of the school said that the school has been trying to protect children while on their way to and from home because Genekha is prone to human-wildlife conflict.




He said that the school sent students in groups and requested parents if they are free to pick and drop children at school.

“We are still advising students to go in groups because the route to home for many children is through the forest. The seven-year-old girl also went home in a group but the accident happened when she reached home and was alone.”

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