In Nepal, particularly in the Kathmandu Valley, feral and stray dogs have been documented forming packs to hunt and feed on abandoned calves and cows. This phenomenon is driven by a combination of high stray populations and the abandonment of unproductive livestock.
Pack Hunting and Attacks
- Hunting Behavior: Feral dogs in areas like Bhaktapur have been seen in groups of 6 to 25. They encircle their prey, snarl to intimidate it, and then attack the hind legs to cripple the animal.
- Feeding: Once the prey collapses, dogs may begin eating it while it is still alive. These attacks are often fatal, and even if rescued, the cattle rarely survive their injuries.
- Vulnerability: Cows are domestic animals and often lack the survival instincts to protect themselves once abandoned on the streets.
Causes for the Presence of Strays
- Livestock Abandonment: Farmers often drive male calves to the roads because they are seen as unproductive since they don’t produce milk.
- High Populations: There are an estimated 22,000 to 35,000 stray dogs in the Kathmandu Valley alone.
- Resource Scarcity: Both dogs and cattle are forced to scavenge for food at garbage dumps, where cattle often consume plastic.
Organizations and Assistance
Several NGOs work to mitigate these issues through feeding programs, rescues, and sterilization:
- Sneha’s Care: Operates animal shelters and provides medical treatment for injured street animals.
- Animal Nepal: Conducts welfare programs for both stray dogs and abandoned working equines and cattle.
- KAT Centre (Kathmandu Animal Treatment Centre): Focuses on managing the stray dog population through sterilization and treatin
To report an animal in distress or a dangerous pack of dogs in Nepal, you can reach out to the following organizations. For immediate results, calling their hotlines or sending a WhatsApp/Viber message with a photo and location is recommended.
Emergency Contacts for Rescue
- Sneha’s Care (Lalitpur):
- Hotline: +977 98086 45023
- Services: Rescues dogs and farm animals (cows, buffaloes) from cruelty or injury.
- Animal Nepal (Kathmandu/Lalitpur):
- Office: +977 1 5538068 or +977 9841 334537
- Dog Treatment Center (Chobhar): +977 98012 22365
- KAT Centre Nepal (Budhanilkantha/Kathmandu):
- Contact: +977 98438 10363
- Mobile Rescue: +977 98019 12476
- Nepal Animal Welfare and Research Center (NAWRC):
- Emergency Hotline: +977 98606 58714 (24/7 service)
Specific Reporting Instructions
- Safety First: Do not approach aggressive packs or severely injured animals alone; assess the danger before acting.
- Provide Visuals: Use WhatsApp or Viber to send a photo/video and a precise Google Maps pin to the rescue numbers above.
- Animal Abuse: If you witness intentional cruelty or abandonment, report it to the local police, as animal abuse is a criminal offense under the Criminal Code of Nepal.
- Wild Animals: For monkeys or other wildlife, contact the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation, as NGOs are typically not authorized to rescue wild animals.
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