More than one hundred (100) stray dogs have been found dead as the much-anticipated mass dog culling exercise gets underway at the Western Provincial capital of Gizo over the weekend.
The exercise was finally implemented by the Gizo Dog Task Force Committee after some delay in getting government’s approval to roll out the exercise and the process to acquire the dog baits from overseas.
The committee was formed last year following the death of an individual who was attacked by a pack of stray dogs and later died,
This had prompted the public to call on the Western Provincial Government to endorse the formation of the committee.
WARNING: The video may be distressing to some viewers.
Following the formation of the committee members have worked hard to seek approval from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) and sourced the dog baits from Australia.
In the past week awareness was conducted around Gizo town at residential areas and schools to prepare for the culling exercise.
On Friday night, the first lot of dog baits were placed at the seven designated hotspots around Gizo town.
The bait comprised of sweet-smelling cakes placed with poison which lured the dogs.
After eating the cake, dogs started experiencing uneasiness, run to a nearest stream, drain or under shades in an attempt to cool off and eventually trembled to their death.
On Saturday morning, Gizo residents founded most of the affected dogs dead.
Dog owners who listen to the advise tie their dogs at home were spared. Their dogs will need to be registered.
It was a busy Saturday morning for hired officers who worked throughout the day to remove all the dead dogs around Gizo and dumping them off at a designated mass grave out of Gizo town.
Charles Kelly, Gizo Town Council (GTC) Clerk and Chairman of the Dog Task Force Committee, in an interview with Solomon Star, Saturday evening explained that the trial of the bait is intended to evaluate the program’s effectiveness.
He confirmed that more than 100 stray dogs have been killed during the culling exercise.
“Seven zones within Gizo township are being targeted, and the operation has gone smoothly,” Kelly said.
He explained the bait composed of cakes laced with poison that has resulted in the death of these animals.
Residents were told to call responsible officers to collect the dead dogs for burial if they spotted any.
Members of the public and residents were not allowed to touch the dead dogs.
Most of the contracted workers wore protective gowns, gloves and masks before removing the dogs.
Kelly emphasized the importance of the program in ensuring public safety within the community.
The urgency of carrying out the exercise came following a tragic incident last year where a mentally impaired individual was mauled to his death by a pack of 15 stray dogs near the Aussie Ridge area in Tophill, close to the Premier’s residence.
This year a number of dog attacks on children and individuals have also occurred at separate locations which prompted the committee to rollout the exercise.
There was mixed reaction to the exercise.
Some raised the importance of such measures to protect the community from potential dangers posed by stray dogs.
Some residents said, now they can sleep well during the night because barking during the nights have stopped.
One mother said, there are no longer dog wastes at their home compound that are normally left by these stray dogs.
However, one young student said, its a sad sight to see these dogs struggling to their death.
The culling exercise will continue next weekend.
Therefore, residents have been advised against roaming the streets during Friday and Saturday nights when the baits will be placed.
By ULUTAH GINA & MOFFAT MAMU
SOLOMON STAR, GIZO
