The village of Puvirnituq located in Hudson Bay has killed nearly 150 stray dogs after several members of their community, including an 8-year-old girl, were attacked in the space of a few days.
“It’s not new that dogs attack humans, but this is the first time that it’s so worrying,” explains Mélissa Goos, a DPJ worker who has lived in the village for more than a year.
The Nunavik Police Department reports that four residents of the village of Puvirnituq were attacked by stray dogs between December 11 and 17. The first reported case was that of an 8-year-old girl who suffered superficial injuries inflicted by 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 attacked by 10 dogs on December 17. The man had to be rushed to Montreal for serious injuries that were not life-threatening.
“Right now, it’s really problematic. It’s not normal for people to be attacked on a daily basis, it’s really worrying,” notes Shaun Longstreet, deputy director of the Nunavik police service.
Curious young stray dogs who come asking for cuddles or food.
Photo provided by Mélissa Goos
Emergency state
Drastic measures were quickly put in place by the municipality to protect citizens.
“We were ordered to stay indoors, even the primary school was closed as a precaution and to avoid traffic […] The instruction was to kill all dogs, except those on leashes or sled dogs,” reports Mélissa Goos.
Mélissa dressed to face the bitter cold on Puvirnituq in Hudson Bay.
Photo provided by Mélissa Goos
In the space of a few days, 142 stray dogs were killed or trapped.
“I can confirm to you that this is a way of proceeding that is used in the villages, there is a price awarded for each dog killed,” admits Daphnée Veilleux-Lemieux, veterinarian and volunteer president of Chiots nordiques, an organization that works to control dog overpopulation in the heart of indigenous communities.
Residents of Puvirnituq go about their business, while dogs lounge near them.
Photo provided by Mélissa Goos
We still do not know the precise reasons behind these attacks, but issues of overpopulation linked to unsterilized dogs and the lack of food particularly caused by episodes of blizzards which hit Puvirnituq have been raised.
Despite numerous calls made to the municipality’s town hall, the mayor of Puvirnituq was not willing to answer questions from the Newspaper.
As calm returns to the small village of 1,800 inhabitants, some owners whose dogs were free 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 Mme Goos.