Stray dogs maul blackbuck, neelgai in Abohar area

Abohar: Stray dogs killed a blackbuck and a neelgai on Sunday night in separate incidents in Abohar sub-division of Fazilka district on Saturday night.

According to information, a blackbuck which strayed into the fields of Raipura village was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs. The neelgai that was grazing in the open wildlife sanctuary area of Patrewala village was also killed.

Over dozen blackbucks and neelgais had been killed by stray dogs in the sanctuary area spread over 13 villages inhabited by Bishnois.

“Poaching by humans is not a headache for us now, as it has become rare due to stringent laws. But we have no solution to save blackbucks from stray dogs,” said an official of the state wildlife department.

Akhil Bhartiya Jeev Raksha Bishnoi Sabha criticised the state government for not taking adequate steps to protect blackbucks and other protected species. Expressing concern over the increasing reports of endangered species being killed by stray dogs, R D Bishnoi, a prominent leader of the area, said: “Though the issue was taken up with the authorities concerned, no solution has been worked out so far.”

To further reiterate their demand, a protest outside wildlife department’s office is planned for Monday, he added.

Fazilka wildlife range officer Malkit Singh said he had visited both the spots after getting the information. “We have appealed to the district administration to provide us some space to treat injured animals as well as sterilize stray dogs. But nothing has been worked out as yet,” he said.