Rabid dog mauls child

JOHN THOMPSON

A sled dog infected with rabies mauled a two-year-old child in Rankin Inlet two weekends ago.

The child, Dora Simik, was flown to a Winnipeg hospital. Her condition is improving, according to family members.

Bylaw officers shot the dog and sent its body south to be tested. Several days later, test results revealed the animal was infected with rabies.

Since then, bylaw officers have rounded up about 25 dogs roaming loose in the community, said Arny Brown, work superintendent with the hamlet office.

Loose dogs found with a collar and tags will be impounded. Those without tags will be shot. About 15 have been killed so far, he said.

“It’s pretty much zero-tolerance when it comes to loose dogs, and we’ll be enforcing it.”

Three bylaw officers were posted to round up dogs during the first week after the attack. Since then one officer has been dedicated to respond to calls, around the clock.

Government health officials warn there could be more dogs infected with rabies in the community. They’re reminding owners to give their pets an annual rabies vaccination.

Brown said owners need to take more responsibility for their dogs and tie them up. In some cases, he’s seen dogs simply neglected and left to roam free.

“People have a tendency to get a dog when it’s a puppy because it’s cute. But when it grows up, it isn’t so cute any more.”

Others times, owners realize they can’t afford the cost of caring for a dog.

“When it comes down to buying diapers for the baby or food for the dog, it’s often easier to just let the dog run loose.”

An increasing number of foxes have ventured into the community in recent years, Brown said. Foxes typically spread the disease to dogs.