‘Dogs may be responsible for killing of livestock in Manipur’

Imphal: Domestic and free-ranging dogs could be responsible for the killing of a large number of livestock in Manipur over the last couple of months.

This was the finding of the experts from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), who were investigating into the killing of livestock by unknown animals in the state.

Addressing media persons here, Dr Gopi GV, Scientist E, WII said that there is no links to supernatural or superstitious beliefs into the killing of livestock in the state as all incidences except for few are genuine deaths.

“Dogs were highly active during dark hours in the area. There was no evidence of any major damage to humans or large livestock in the state,” the findings of the expert committee said.

Dr SA Hussain, Scientist G, WII; Dr Salvador Lyngdoh, Scientist D, WII alomng with other senior officers of the State Forest Department, Government of Manipur also accompanied Dr Gopi in the press conference.

Manipur has been witnessing mysterious killings of livestock by unknown animals for quite some time. Such attacks were reported from Senapati and Churachandpur districts in October and November. Later, the incidents of killings were also reported from Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching and Kangpokpi districts.

The expert committee has stressed on the need of strengthening the garbage and waste management in the entire area. Proper husbandry practices, keeping stray and owned dogs under control, strengthening the veterinary interventions, monitoring of the wildlife in the region to avoid unwanted loss and study in depth on behaviour and control of free ranging dogs that may cause loss to wildlife are some of the recommendations made by the expert committee to put a brake on the menace.