No dip in dog bite cases

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune news service

Chandigarh, July 11

Despite the claims of the MC over controlling the number of stray dogs, there has been no let up in dog bites cases.

Around 40 to 50 cases are recorded at different dispensaries and general hospitals of the city on an average.

As per the data available with the dispensaries, nearly 3,000 victims of dog bite have been treated since January.

The civic body hired an agency for sterilisation of dogs in October last year but despite this the number of stray dogs has not reduced.

Medical Officer Dr Amrtipal Singh said while the number of dog bite cases in the city had not increased much, the city’s dispensaries are also treating victims of dog bites from nearby areas of Punjab and Haryana, which increased the figures.

Municipal Corporation officials maintained that during the past five years, close to 8,000 stray dogs had been sterilised and vaccinated against rabies, but despite this, the number of stray dogs in the city has failed to stabilise.

Many claim that the number of stray dogs in Chandigarh has crossed 13,000. Baljinder Singh Bittu, president, FOSWAC, said stray dogs could be seen roaming around in every corner of the city, including parks and gardens, making it difficult for the general public and children to use green spaces.

Surender Singh, a resident of Sector 22, said residents were not secure at public places like parks as there were many stray dogs around.

Mayor Rajesh Kalia said the Municipal Corporation was serious regarding the problem and steps had been taken to control the stray dog menace in the city.