RAIPUR: Fifteen deer died after stray dogs entered an enclosure at Sanjay Park rescue centre in Chhattisgarh’s Ambikapur and bite them, exposing alleged negligence by forest department staff and triggering suspensions, an inquiry and a notice to the local ranger.
Forest department suspended four officials including deputy ranger, forest guards and beat guard. The incident came to light after the gate of the enclosure had been left open, inadvertently allowing the dogs to enter and attack the captive animals. The attack took place between Friday and Saturday night when four to five stray dogs reportedly entered the park from the adjoining forest and reached the enclosure.
Trapped inside, the deer being sensitive creatures, had little chance as the dogs chased and attacked them.Fourteen deer died on the spot, while one critically injured animal succumbed on Sunday, officials said, adding that the carcasses were disposed of as per the rules. Surguja DFO Abhishek Jogawat confirmed the deaths, saying the animals died due to dog bites. In the immediate aftermath, the park was shut for three days.
There was a sharp-edged weapon recovered from the spot, and DFO said that it was an equipment used in the autopsy of animals, which was mistakenly left at the spot. The incident has led to swift action from the forest department. Four staff members including deputy ranger Ashok Sinha, forest guards Mamta Porte and Pratima Lakda, and employee Bindu Singh were suspended by CCF Dilraj Prabhakar for negligence. Ambikapur ranger Akshapak Rishi has also been served a notice and asked to respond within five days, failing which further action will follow.Preliminary findings point to a basic but critical lapse, the enclosure gate allegedly being left open, allowing the dogs to enter.On Saturday morning, park staff discovered the carcasses, triggering panic within the department. Veterinarians were called in, and postmortem examinations were conducted on the dead animals before their disposal as per protocol. A three-member inquiry team led by the Ambikapur SDO (forest) has been constituted and asked to submit its report.
“Strict action will be taken against those found responsible,” Jogawat said.The scale of the loss has raised larger concerns about safety and monitoring inside the facility. Officials said the park had 31 deer before the incident, of which only 16 now remain. Apart from deer, the park also houses peacocks and other animals.Sanjay Park has seen fluctuations in its deer population over the years. Around five years ago, more than 60 deer were relocated from the park to Ramkola area, after which the population had stabilised and grown again to over 30.
