East Khasi Hills launches rabies elimination pilot project

The East Khasi Hills district administration has launched a pilot project in Laban to eliminate dog-mediated rabies by 2030. This initiative is part of the National Action Plan for Dog-Mediated Rabies Elimination (NAPRE) following an exponential rise in dog bite cases. In the first eight months of 2026, the district reported over 7,500 dog bite cases, surpassing the total for 2023.

Data indicates that pet dogs are responsible for approximately 81 percent of reported bites, while stray dogs account for 19 percent. To address this, the administration has empowered local Dorbar Shnongs to enforce compliance. Pet owners may face fines, penalties, or First Information Reports (FIRs) for violating prescribed norms.

New regulations require pet owners to register their dogs with their respective Dorbar Shnong and maintain vaccination records. Owners of certain breeds, such as Pitbulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Dobermans, are also required to ensure their dogs are muzzled when in public. In cases where bites are caused by pet dogs, information must be sent to the nearest police station to facilitate legal action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.