The Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS) carried out two key initiatives this week, one aimed at strengthening public awareness on dog-bite prevention and another advancing its recruitment process for the post of Veterinary Compounder. The twin developments reflect the department’s efforts to combine community outreach with administrative progress as it responds to rising concerns about animal-related safety and staffing requirements.
At Government Middle School, Manglutan, AH&VS organised a detailed awareness session on dog-bite prevention for schoolchildren. The programme focused on equipping young students with basic knowledge on how to behave safely around dogs and avoid situations that may trigger aggression. During the session, children were guided on interpreting animal behaviour, maintaining safe distance from unfamiliar dogs and refraining from sudden movements that may provoke pets or strays.
The department also emphasised steps to be taken immediately after a bite incident. Students were instructed on the importance of washing the wound thoroughly with soap and running water, a first-aid measure known to significantly reduce infection risks. The session reiterated the need to report bite incidents without delay to nearby health centres or veterinary facilities. Officials explained that completing the full course of anti-rabies vaccination remains essential for protection, regardless of the perceived severity of the bite.
Beyond individual safety, children were introduced to the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, which the department highlighted as the most humane and scientifically accepted method to control stray dog populations. The ABC initiative forms a core part of the administration’s long-term strategy to reduce bite incidents across residential neighbourhoods, marketplaces and school surroundings. By educating students, the department aims to create widespread awareness within families and communities, ensuring that safety practices extend beyond classrooms.
In a parallel administrative development, AH&VS released the provisional merit list for the post of Veterinary Compounder, which had been published earlier on November 10 on the department’s official website. The department has now scheduled document verification for provisionally selected candidates on December 15 and 16 at 10 am at the Directorate’s Conference Hall in Haddo. The verification process is a crucial step before the finalisation of appointments, ensuring that selected candidates meet the eligibility standards and possess all required documents.
The detailed schedule for verification has also been uploaded online, and candidates have been advised to go through the instructions carefully before appearing. Applicants are expected to bring original documents supporting their qualifications, experience, and other parameters considered in the merit list. Delays or incomplete documentation may affect the outcome of the verification process.
The recruitment drive is considered significant for the department, especially as veterinary services across the islands continue to expand. Veterinary Compounders often play a frontline role in supporting veterinarians during field visits, vaccination drives and disease-control programmes. Ensuring adequate staffing in these posts helps maintain efficient service delivery, particularly in remote regions where animal healthcare infrastructure relies heavily on trained support personnel.
Together, the outreach session in Manglutan and the recruitment update underline the department’s broader efforts toward strengthening public health safeguards and improving operational capacity. While the awareness programme targeted schoolchildren to reinforce preventive practices around animals, the merit list announcement moves the department closer to filling essential service roles.
As AH&VS balances community-based awareness initiatives with institutional strengthening, the dual approach signals a focus on both immediate public safety and long-term veterinary service readiness across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
