Steps taken to stop killings of children in Sitapur villages: Sitapur DM

Sitapur district magistrate, Sheetal Verma’s speak.

All concerned are hereby informed that the district administration, Sitapur is not involved in the killing or abets killing of any animal, including dogs, by any means. 

Twelve children between 7 and 13 years of age have been killed in Sitapur since November last year, according to the district Administration. Six of these killings occurred last week.(HT File)

1. In view of the death of 12 children who have died due to dog attacks, the district administration has issued an appeal in all affected villages to form surveillance teams for the protection of the children and their small animals. The details of children who have died are shared along with. Eyewitness accounts and surveillance teams confirm attack by pack of dogs. 

2. To combat these attacks, so far 30 dogs have been sent to sterilization facility at Lucknow's Kanha Upvan. The dogs shall be released in their original habitat post sterilization. The Nagarpalika Khairabad has incurred a cost of ₹ 1200 for each of these dogs. 

 3. All schools in the district have been issued an advisory to communicate the same to parents. 

 4. Animal Birth Control (ABC) clinic has become operational from today and it is coordinating with director, veterinary. Building is made available by health department at Kanwakhera. 

 5. A two-member team of animal experts is already camping in the district to identify causes of such attacks and the district forest officer is coordinating with it. . 

6. Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly team has reached Sitapur to analyse the causes of this predatory behaviour and will document the same in the form of a case study. 

 7. The district police have activated multiple channels of reporting to trace the movement of such dogs and prevent further attacks on children. 

All animal welfare organizations and animal lovers/activists are invited to visit Sitapur to see the efforts being made by the district administration with due compliance of animal rights and related legislations and rulings of the Honourable Supreme Court. 

All correspondence may be directed to the forest/veterinary and revenue department of the district for clarification. 

- Sheetal Verma, DM, Sitapur