Pangnirtung shoots 20 stray dogs over rabies concerns

The hamlet of Pangnirtung has destroyed 20 dogs after a fox tested positive for rabies last week.

The Department of Health said Monday that the rabid fox had interacted with several dogs in the community.

"Most of these dogs were loose dogs that we did not know who were the owners were," said Shawn Trepanier, the community's senior administrative officer. "And they were acting aggressively towards our bylaw officers."

Trepanier said with no veterinarian in town, the dogs were tranquilized and then shot at the dump and burned.

Some remains were sent out for testing.

Nunavut's health department has warned residents to avoid contact with other people's dogs. Dog owners are being asked to report any dog that is acting strangely to local authorities.

Trepanier said 100 dogs have been vaccinated and more rabies vaccine is on the way to the community.