WILD dogs running rampant on Druadrua Island in Macuata have become a threat to villagers of Salevukoso and Delaivadra.
And the villagers, who claim the dogs have bitten some of them and created fear among the islanders, are calling on authorities to help them with the eradication of the dogs before the problem gets out of hand.
Salevukoso Village chief Tevita Rokuta said people could no longer go alone to farm or to fish because of the attacks.
“Some of us have been bitten by these dogs. If someone wants to go to the farm or fishing, he or she has to go with another person or more,” he said.
“This is because the dogs follow and bark at them.
“Sometimes, if we are not cautious, they approach without barking and try to bite us.
“In some cases, they follow women to the shoreline or to the sea and try to bite them there.”
Salevukoso Development Committee chairman Uraia Viaturaga said the number of dogs continued to increase.
“They usually roam around in packs in the forest,” he said.
“In the afternoon, they come to the village and right to the shoreline to look for food. They also eat raw fish.”
Mr Viaturaga wants authorities to assist them with the eradication of the dogs “because we fear someone might die if he or she is severely bitten by the dogs”.
“It would really be a relief for us if the authorities step in to help.”
Animal Health and Production director Tomasi Tunabuna said a regulatory team visited the North yesterday to look into dog-related and other animal issues.
“The team is there to hear complaints from the public regarding wild animals and stray dogs,” he said.
“The team is attending to the complaints registered with our department and for the case on Druadrua, we will also look into it.”
He said those with animal complaints are encouraged to formally lodge their complaints “so we can attend to them accordingly”.
