‘Predators are dogs, doglike ...but not hyena’
IVRI team’s preliminary probe finds dogs behind attacks on kids but wildlife expert Wasis Jamshed retracts his earlier stand that the killer animals are dogs, now claims they are ‘similar to dogs’
LUCKNOW: A four-member team of scientists from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) on Wednesday visited villages in Sitapur where the recent incidents of dog attacks were reported.
“The team members inspected the affected area and collected samples for further investigation,” said director IVRI, RK Singh.
However, Singh said that in its preliminary investigation, the team found the involvement of dogs in the incidents.
“Prima facie, it appears that dogs are responsible for the killings. But we will be in a better position to ascertain this once laboratory examination of the collected samples is complete,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wasis Jamshed, a wildlife expert who had claimed on Tuesday that dogs were responsible for the attacks (HT has proof of the conversation) retracted his claim on Wednesday.
“The animals are similar to dogs… they are not hyenas. I will only be able to confirm what kind of animal they are once my investigation is complete,” he said.
Jamshed was called by the Sitapur district administration to identify the animals responsible for the attacks.
Twelve children between 7 and 13 years of age have been killed in Sitapur since November last year, according to the district Administration. Six of these killings occurred last week.
“The experts from IVRI were called to examine the predatory behaviour of these animals which can be used as a case study,” said district magistrate of Sitapur Sheetal Verma.
The IVRI team which visited the area comprised four scientist, experts in epidemiology, virology, wildlife and disease diagnosis. The four-member team was headed by principal scientist Dinesh Chandra. “We have collected a range of biological samples from the area. They will be examined by various department of IVRI for detailed analysis,” Chandara said.
Speaking on the kind of animal suspected behind the attacks, he said, “They appear to be dog attacks.” The experts have planned to conduct a detail forensic examination of the collected samples to reach a conclusion.
“We will continue to monitor the situation in Sitapur along with the district administration and will extend all support to prevent such attacks in future,” asserted the IVRI director.