In a continued effort to promote public safety and responsible animal management, the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS) conducted two focused awareness sessions on stray dog bite prevention and management on December 26, 2025, targeting students and teachers in the Andaman Islands.
The sessions were held at GSSS Prothrapur and Saraswati Shishu Mandir Senior Secondary School, Pathergudda, as part of the department’s island-wide mass awareness campaign. The initiative aims to educate school communities on safe behaviour around stray and pet dogs, first-aid measures in case of bites, and the role of humane population control programs.
At GSSS Prothrapur, Dr. V Subramanian, Senior Veterinary Officer at Veterinary Hospital Garacharma, addressed students and faculty. The discussion focused on immediate actions following dog bites, including thorough wound washing, timely reporting to authorities, and the importance of vaccination. Dr. Subramanian also highlighted the scientific rationale behind the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program, which is implemented to humanely manage stray dog populations while reducing risks to public health.
A similar session at Saraswati Shishu Mandir Senior Secondary School covered the recognition of warning signs of aggression in dogs, ways to avoid provoking bites, and responsible community practices. Students were advised against feeding stray dogs on roadsides and encouraged to support sterilisation and vaccination drives, reinforcing the message that community cooperation is essential for effective stray dog management.
Both sessions included interactive segments where students actively participated, raising questions and seeking clarifications on practical situations involving stray dogs. The officer patiently addressed all queries, ensuring that participants understood key preventive measures and the broader objectives of the campaign.
The initiative is part of the department’s ongoing outreach to schools across the islands, aiming to cultivate awareness from a young age and foster responsible interaction with animals. Officials emphasised that education on dog bite prevention not only safeguards children and the wider community but also promotes ethical treatment of animals.
With this continued engagement, AH&VS intends to strengthen the understanding of safe practices around stray dogs, encouraging communities to participate in vaccination and sterilisation programs, and ensuring a safer coexistence between residents and animals in the Andaman Islands.
