Kohima dog attack prompts AKMWC to seek stricter pet regulations, mandatory dog identification and action against dangerous animals
DIMAPUR — A recent dog attack on a young woman in Kohima has renewed calls for stronger regulation of ‘unleashed and dangerous dogs’, with the Association of Kohima Municipal Wards Council (AKMWC) giving the district administration and Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) 30 days to take effective action.
The latest incident occurred on the afternoon of August 4 at Ward No. 1 High School, where a young woman was reportedly attacked by an unleashed dog kept as an “American Bully XL”, according to a press release issued by AKMWC on Monday.
The victim reportedly sustained multiple deep puncture wounds, extensive bruising and serious tissue injuries and is undergoing treatment. The association maintained that the incident underscored the risks posed by powerful and inadequately controlled dogs in densely populated residential areas.
It recalled that the district administration had issued directives in January 2025 and KMC in October 2024 prohibiting colony and ward councils from taking local action against unleashed dogs, while placing responsibility for intervention with the authorities under applicable laws and rules.
According to the association, the KMC had established a dog pound in September 2017 and framed rules for impounding unleashed dogs, imposing penalties and facilitating their disposal to suitable homes.
It added that authorities had also outlined measures for centralised reporting and intervention, including coordination with the veterinary office, school and public safety measures, responsible pet ownership, mandatory leashing and containment, vaccination and dog impoundment.
However, it claimed that residents continued to face dog attacks and that ward and colony councils were frustrated because they were held accountable by residents when incidents occurred but had been directed not to take local action.
Child attacked in 2025
The AKMWC pointed to a previous serious incident involving a three-year-old child at PWD Lower Colony on March 15, 2025. It stated that the association had subsequently submitted representations and issued a public statement calling for urgent measures to curb the menace.
The association warned that repeated serious attacks could eventually result in fatalities if authorities failed to strengthen regulation, identification and control of dogs.
Among its demands, AKMWC called for a dedicated WhatsApp helpline through which residents can report cases of unleashed or dangerous dogs by submitting photographs and GPS-tagged locations. It added that the system should be widely publicised and linked to prompt municipal intervention and capture of reported dogs.
The association also sought mandatory identification tags for all owned dogs, containing details such as the animal’s name and the owner’s name and contact information.
The AKMWC further called for appropriate restrictions on aggressive and powerful dogs and their crossbreeds, including regulations governing licensing, import, breeding, sale and ownership.
The association cited regulatory initiatives adopted or proposed by urban local bodies in cities including Chandigarh, Dehradun and Lucknow as examples of measures that could be considered. It also urged residents to practise responsible pet ownership, including proper leashing and containment.