Buvirniduk village on Hudson Bay has killed nearly 150 stray dogs after several members of their community, including an 8-year-old girl, were attacked in a matter of days.
“Dogs attacking people is not new, but this is very worrying,” explains Melissa Goose, a DPJ worker who has lived in the village for over a year.
The Nunavik Police Department reported that between December 11 and 17, four residents of Buvirniduk village were attacked by stray dogs. The first reported case was an 8-year-old girl who suffered superficial injuries from a pack of 9 to 10 dogs.
Three days later, a 21-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman were attacked while walking in the village. The latest case was on December 17 when a 22-year-old man was attacked by 10 dogs. The man was rushed to Montreal for serious, non-life-threatening injuries.
“Now, it's very complicated. It's not normal for people to be attacked on a daily basis, it's very disturbing,” notes Shawn Longstreet, deputy director of the Nunavik Police Service.
Curious young stray dogs asking for cuddles or food.
Photo courtesy of Melissa Goose
state of emergency
Strict measures were quickly taken by the municipality to protect the citizens.
“We were ordered to stay indoors and even the primary school was closed as a precaution and to avoid traffic. […] “The directive was to kill all dogs except those on leash or sled dogs,” reports Melissa Goose.
Melissa is dressed for the bitter cold in Puvirniduk on Hudson Bay.
Photo courtesy of Melissa Goose
In a few days, 142 stray dogs were killed or trapped.
“I can confirm that this is a method used in villages, where a price is paid for each dog that is killed,” agrees Daphnée Veilleux-Lemieux, a veterinarian and volunteer leader of Chiots nordiques, an organization that works. Control dog overpopulation in the heart of tribal communities.
Residents of Puvirniduk go about their business, dogs resting beside them.
Photo courtesy of Melissa Goose
We still don't know the exact reasons behind these attacks, but overpopulation associated with unsterilized dogs and food shortages caused by episodes of blizzards that hit Puvirniduk in particular have been raised.
Despite repeated calls to the municipality's town hall, the mayor of Puvirniduk was not ready to answer questions. Newspaper.
As peace returns to the small village of 1,800 people, some owners whose dogs were free will never see their animals again.
“I have a friend who lost her dog and she can't find him anymore, so she thinks he died unfortunately,” laments M.me Goose.
