Carnikava dogs that bit children lacked required rabies revaccination

The dogs that attacked children in Carnikava had not received rabies revaccinations within the period set by a practising veterinarian, LSM reported, citing the Food and Veterinary Service. The dogs will therefore be observed for 10 days.

The animals are currently clinically healthy and show no signs of rabies. For safety reasons, the Food and Veterinary Service has ordered their owner to isolate and observe them.

If no clinical signs of the disease appear during the 10-day period, the dogs will have to be revaccinated against rabies. The service will also take samples on September 7 to determine the level of rabies antibodies in the dogs’ blood in laboratory tests.

The Food and Veterinary Service said that, following changes to legislation, it no longer assesses dogs’ dangerousness or officially designates them as dangerous.

The Ministry of Agriculture said that action following a dog attack is governed by the Animal Protection Law. The ministry has also drafted regulations on keeping a dog that has attacked another animal or a person. The draft has been submitted to the State Chancellery for further consideration and would set out how the future keeping of a dog that has attacked a person should be determined.

On Friday, September 5, two dogs that had strayed from their owners attacked children at the Riekstiņš preschool in Carnikava. Several children and a swimming instructor were injured. The Emergency Medical Service took two children to a medical facility, and their condition was stable. Police have opened criminal proceedings.