Dog-bite cases up in tricity : The Tribune India

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MC workers catch a stray dog from Phase II in Mohali on Friday. A Tribune photograph

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24

The number of dog-bite cases reported in the tricity is increasing at an alarming rate. The anti-rabies clinic in Sector 19, Chandigarh, alone receives 35-40 dog-bite cases every day. Most of the cases are of stray dog bite.

Health officials informed that nearly 500-550 dog-bite cases are received from the city alone each month, adding that over the past few years, there has been at least 25-30 per cent rise in such cases.

Yesterday, a three-year-old boy had sustained serious injuries on his face after being bitten by a stray dog in Mohali on his lips.

Confirming the same, Dr Purnima, in-charge, Anti-rabies Clinic, Sector 19, said on an average 35-40 cases of dog bite are received every day from the tricity and neighbouring states.

“Though it is difficult to put a percentage on it, but there has certainly been a rise in such cases over the past few years,” she said, adding that most cases reported at the clinic are of stray dog bite.

She blamed the lack of awareness on part of residents as the primary reason of dog bite and advised immediate medical attention in case of the same.

Notably, the Anti-rabies Clinic in Sector 19 receives the most dog bite cases in the region even though anti-rabies treatment is provided at other government hospitals, including the GMCH-32, PGI, GMSH-16 and Civil Hospitals of Sectors 22 and 45.

Meanwhile, residents of the tricity complained that stray dogs could be found roaming around in every neighbourhood, making it difficult for children and the elderly to venture out for playing and walks.

“These are everywhere – in parks, gardens and green belts. I don’t know why the authorities have failed in curb the menace despite repeated incidents of dog bites in the tricity,” said Santosh Sharma, a Panchkula resident. He informed that recently, his neighbour’s daughter was bitten by a stray dog, following which several complaints were made to the local authorities by the Resident Welfare Association, but to no avail.