Chhattisgarh Village Introduces New Rule To Hold Pet Owners Accountable For Dog Bites, Provisions Rs 5,000 Fine

Kanker: Fed up with repeated dog bite incidents, residents of Bagod village in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district have introduced strict rules for pet owners. The village has decided to impose a Rs 5,000 fine on the owner of any pet dog that bites a child, passerby or any other resident.

Multiple Dog Bite Cases Trigger Action

According to the Naiduniua report, the decision comes after four to five dog bite incidents were reported in the village over the past few months. The latest case occurred on July 10, when a pet dog allegedly bit the eight-year-old daughter of a ward member. The following day, the same dog reportedly attacked another woman.

Gram Sabha Approves New Rules

Around 15 days earlier, another dog injured an elderly man and a 10-year-old child. Officials later confirmed that the dog had been infected with rabies, triggering fear among villagers. Following these attacks, a village meeting was conducted, where residents unanimously approved a set of rules to prevent further attacks.

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What's The New Rule?

Under the new rules, pet owners must keep their dogs restrained at home, ensure they are vaccinated regularly, and pay a Rs 5,000 penalty if their pet bites anyone. Villagers alleged several people allow their pet dogs to roam freely, forcing children and elderly residents to avoid certain roads out of fear.

Anti-Rabies Vaccination Drive Conducted

Following the Gram Sabha's decision, a team from the Animal Husbandry Department visited the village and administered anti-rabies vaccines to around seven to nine dogs. Veterinary officer Dr Dharmendra Kurre said rabies is a dangerous viral disease that can spread to humans and animals through the bite of an infected dog.

The doctor stressed that timely vaccination and treatment are the only effective ways to prevent the disease. He further described the villagers' decision as a positive step towards greater awareness and public safety. Meanwhile, residents believe that the new rules would encourage pet owners to act responsibly and help prevent similar incidents in the future. They also urged authorities to organise regular vaccination camps to ensure all dogs in the village are immunised.

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