MC apathy bites victims

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 25

While the MC claims it is observing the condition of stray dog-bite victims of Sector 15, the victims say nobody from the civic body has informed them that the brain sample of the dog was found positive for rabies in the test conducted at the Kasauli-based Central Research Institute (CRI).

Meanwhile, two groups of animal lovers today provided financial assistance to two victims — rickshaw-puller Virender Gupta and public toilet attendant Kanhaiya — whose plight was highlighted by Chandigarh Tribune.

Alpna Vij, whose 87-year-old father VM Chopra was attacked by a stray dog, said nobody from the MC approached them. "MC officials and the Mayor are only giving statements in the media that they are in touch with the victims, but the ground reality is different," she said.

She said today she took her father to the Sector 19 dispensary but she was asked to bring a syringe from the market.

“Rather than giving special treatment to those who were bitten by the rabid dog, the authorities are harassing them. I had to leave my father there to purchase a Rs 6 syringe from the market. I will take MC officials to the court for compensation,” she said. 

Similarly, rickshaw-puller Virender Gupta said nobody from the MC informed them about the dog being rabid. “Somebody in the Sector 38 dispensary informed me, but not even a single MC official visited me for any kind of financial assistance,” he said. 

Dog adoption camp

An animal lover group -- Furever friends Chandigarh -- has teamed up with the MC to start a dog adoption camp this weekend on April 29 at Elante Mall from 5 pm to 7 pm. 

Dog-bite prevention

• Avoid contact with slumbering dogs.
• Dogs do not like to be bothered when they are eating. 
• If a dog is injured or is in pain, it is more likely to bite.
• Dogs with new puppies will be protective of them.