Menacing threat of stray dogs in Panipat

Mukesh Tandon

Stray dogs and monkeys have caused a scare in textile city Panipat as well as in Samalkha town. Dog-bite cases are on the rise in Panipat district. The number of dogs in the city has risen and they can be seen roaming in herds. The general hospitals at Panipat and Samalkha receive 10 to 12 dog and monkey bite cases every day. 

The Municipal Corporation Panipat and the Municipal Council of Samalkha have not been able to control the stray dog population and find a solution to the monkey scare in the last four years. 

The number of dog-bite cases is rising, as the Panipat administration lacks proper arrangements to curb the problem. The Municipal Corporation does not have any data about the registration of pet as well as stray dogs in the city.

Local residents say that in the absence of a focused sterilisation campaign, the stray dog population has risen alarmingly in the city. They add that the lethargic attitude of civic body officials is responsible for the menace. They had raised the issue with municipal councillors as well the officials concerned several times but got no relief from the problem. 

According to sources, around 20 to 22 persons, five or six of them fresh victims, visit the Bhimsen Sachhar General Hospital at Panipat every day for anti-rabies vaccine (ARV). Around 400 anti-rabies vaccines were supplied to the general hospital in January, 660 in February and around 800 injections in March from the central store. 

 Besides, around 325 cases of dog and monkey bite have been reported in the general hospital at Samalkha in about three months and around five new cases arrive every day. 

Dr Pawan Kumar, Officiating Senior Medical Officer at the Samalkha general hospital, says, “People prefer to go to the government hospital for the ARV, which is provided free of cost to below poverty line (BPL) card holders, according to the government policy. The ARV is provided to other patients also for only Rs 100, which is three or four times cheaper than what the vaccine costs in a private hospital”. 

Vansh, a resident of Shanti Nagar, says that stray dogs can be seen roaming in streets and on roads in Panipat city. They chase children, elderly people and vehicles in streets due to which residents fear going out.

Rakesh Narang, owner of a medical store on the Sanoli road, says, “The rising population of stray dogs in the city is a cause for concern. Municipal Corporation officials need to take stern measures to tackle the issue as soon as possible”. 

“Stray dogs in herds have made people panicky in almost all localities of Panipat city. Residents are fearful of stray dogs, especially during night. The corporation officials must take immediate measures to remove stray dogs from the city as they pose a threat to local residents, especially to children and the elderly,”says Kunal Chaudhary, another local resident.  

Lokesh Nagroo, BJP councillor from Ward No. 20, had raised the issue in the first general house meeting of the Municipal Corporation on January 11 and all his fellow councillors had supported him on the problem of stray dogs, cattle and monkeys in the city. 

The meeting had passed an agenda for the Municipal Corporation to invite tenders for the sterlisation of dogs and catching monkeys but no action has been initiated since then. 

Mayor Avneet Kaur says, “No doubt, the increasing number of stray dogs and monkeys in the city is a matter of serious concern. The issue was also discussed in the general house meeting on January 11”.

The Municipal Corporation had invited tenders for the sterlisation of stray dogs but no bidder has come forward so far. Fresh tenders will be invited after the Lok Sabha elections, she adds. 

Veena Hooda, Municipal Commissioner, says, “We have invited tenders many times but no expert agency has come forward for the work. We do not have trained staff in the Municipal Corporation to tackle the problem. In fact, the civic body is reeling under a shortage of employees. If any expert agency comes forward to help us on the issue, we will allot tender to it”.

Rabies vaccine provided free to BPL people 

"People prefer to go to a government hospital for the ARV, which is provided free of cost to BPL card holders, according to the government policy. The ARV is provided to other patients also for only Rs 100, which is three or four times cheaper than what the vaccine costs in a private hospital." — Dr Pawan Kumar, Officiating Senior Medical Officer, Samalkha general hospital

Rising canine population serious matter

"No doubt, the increasing number of stray dogs and monkeys in Panipat city is a matter of serious concern. The issue was also discussed in the general house meeting on January 11." — Avneet Kaur, Mayor

Sincere measures required

"The rising population of stray dogs in the city is a cause for concern. Municipal Corporation officials need to take sincere measures to tackle the issue as soon as possible." — Rakesh Narang, Medical store owner 

Lives of children, elderly endangered 

"Stray dogs in herds make people panicky in almost all localities of Panipat city. Residents are fearful of stray dogs, especially during night. MC officials must remove stray dogs from the city as they pose a threat to local residents, especially children and the elderly."  — Kunal Chaudhary, Local resident