Shillong’s Laban area has been selected for a pilot programme aimed at eliminating dog-mediated rabies in East Khasi Hills by 2030, with the district administration launching an action plan on September 1.
The Action Plan for the Elimination of Dog-Mediated Rabies will focus on enumerating, vaccinating and sterilising stray dogs, along with post-sterilisation care. It will also introduce measures to improve pet ownership and regulate the feeding of stray dogs.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal said the district records a high number of dog-bite cases annually and that some cases may go unreported. The administration has consulted NGOs and Rangbah Shnong, who will play a key role in implementing the programme.
The Laban pilot will initially focus on vaccinating stray dogs before sterilisation is taken up to control the population. The programme will later be expanded to other parts of Shillong and eventually to rural areas.
Pet owners will be required to register their dogs with their respective Rangbah Shnong and maintain valid vaccination records. Community leaders will also identify designated areas for feeding stray dogs under the proposed measures.
The initiative aims to reduce the risk of rabies transmission while managing the stray-dog population through vaccination, sterilisation and community-level monitoring.
