Assam: GMC orders schools to remove stray dogs amid rising dog bite cases in Guwahati
Guwahati: The Gauhati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has issued urgent directives to schools across Guwahati in Assam, warning them to remove stray dogs from their premises immediately and implement strict safety measures to protect students.
Authorities have raised concerns over a sharp rise in dog bite incidents in Assam, particularly in Guwahati, where children and the elderly have been the most vulnerable.
Reports indicate that the number of dog bite cases in the state jumped from approximately 90,000 in 2023 to nearly 1.5 lakh in 2024, a surge of over 50 percent.
Public health experts caution that, without prompt intervention, this upward trend is likely to continue through 2025.
GMC officials said many stray dogs in the city may be rabies carriers, increasing public safety risks amid a rising stray population and low vaccine coverage.
In response, the GMC directed all government, provincialized, and private schools to fully secure their campuses against stray animals.
The notices advise schools to repair or strengthen boundary walls, install gates where necessary, and maintain proper surveillance within school grounds.
Following the Supreme Court’s directives on managing human-animal conflicts and ensuring child safety, each school must appoint a nodal officer to coordinate with municipal authorities, monitor compliance, and maintain preventive measures throughout the academic year.
Additionally, schools must constitute a monitoring committee comprising teachers, administrative staff, and parent representatives to conduct regular campus inspections, identify vulnerabilities, and recommend corrective measures to prevent stray dog intrusion.
A senior GMC official further emphasised the need for “strict and time-bound compliance” from all educational institutions. “Schools must proactively secure their campuses to ensure children’s safety. We have asked them to report back on the steps taken,” the official said.
Schools are required to submit a compliance report to the GMC detailing the measures implemented, pending tasks, and the designated nodal officers. Institutions failing to adhere to these directives may face action under municipal regulations.
Parents’ groups have welcomed the GMC’s move, noting a marked increase in stray dog sightings inside school grounds in recent months. Several schools had previously reported incidents of dogs entering playgrounds and corridors, heightening safety concerns among guardians.