The Hudson Bay village of Puvirnituq has killed nearly 150 stray dogs after several members of their community, including an 8-year-old girl, were attacked within days.
“It is not new that dogs attack people, but this is the first time that it is so worrying,” explains Mélissa Goos, a DPJ employee who has lived in the village for more than a year.
Nunavik police report that between December 11 and December 17, four residents of the village of Puvirnituq were attacked by stray dogs. The first reported case involved an 8-year-old girl who suffered superficial injuries at the hands of a pack of 9 to 10 dogs.
Three days later, a 21-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman were also attacked while walking in the village. The most recent case is that of a 22-year-old young man who was attacked by ten dogs on December 17th. The man had to be taken to Montreal for serious, non-life-threatening injuries.
“It's really problematic at the moment. “It’s not normal for people to be attacked on a daily basis, it’s really concerning,” noted Nunavik Police Deputy Director Shaun Longstreet.
Curious young stray dogs asking for petting or food. Photo provided by Mélissa Goos
state of emergency
The community quickly took drastic measures to protect citizens.
“We were ordered to stay indoors, even the primary school was closed as a precaution and to avoid traffic […] The instructions were to kill all dogs, except those on a leash or sled dogs,” reports Mélissa Goos.
Mélissa dressed to brave the bitter cold on Puvirnituq in Hudson Bay. Photo provided by Mélissa Goos
Within a few days, 142 stray dogs were killed or captured.
“I can confirm to you that this is a practice that is practiced in the villages. A price is paid for every dog killed,” admits Daphnée Veilleux-Lemieux, veterinarian and honorary president of Chiots nordiques, an organization that works to control dog overpopulation in the heart of indigenous communities.
The residents of Puvirnituq go about their business while there are dogs nearby. Photo provided by Mélissa Goos
We still do not know the exact reasons for these attacks, but issues have been raised regarding overpopulation related to unsterilized dogs and lack of food, particularly caused by episodes of snowstorms that hit Puvirnituq.
Despite numerous calls to the municipality's city hall, Puvirnituq's mayor was unwilling to answer the Journal's questions.
As calm returns to the small village of 1,800, some owners whose dogs were released may never see their animals again.
“I have a friend who lost her dog and she can't find him anymore, so she thinks he's unfortunately dead,” laments Ms. Goos.
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