Solan district saw 12,377 dog bite cases in ’24

Dog bite cases have registered an exponential rise in Solan district, with 12,377 cases reported in 2024 alone.

Figures secured from the Health Department revealed that there were 10,457 dog bite cases in 2022 and 11,690 in 2023.

Due to the absence of any sterilisation campaign, one sees a steep rise in their population as pack of dogs can be seen at every nook and corner of the towns and villages. They become ferocious and attack the people as they compete for food littered outside the community dustbins.

As a result, the Solan Municipal Corporation (MC) has initiated a move to set up a dog sterilisation centre. Once done, it would help in regular sterilisation of the canines.

“Stray dogs have become a threat to the people, especially children and senior citizens. These dogs chase and bite pedestrians, making it difficult to walk on the streets. They are seen foraging through the solid waste dumped at places like Deonghat, Rabon and Salogra in Solan city and spots where waste is dumped in the open,” said Sohan, a resident.

Dr Vishal Lamba , Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Solan, said, “Since culling of dogs is not permissible as per the guidelines of the Animal Welfare Board, the lone option to curb their population is sterilisation.”

He added that they were awaiting receipt of requisite logistics like Schedule H drugs following which they would be able to sterilise 20 to 30 dogs within a week. This duration could be increased to twice a week, if the need arises, he said.

“As Solan civic body is coming up with a sterilisation centre, it will provide post operative care where dogs can be kept after being operated upon,” added

Dr Lamba.

“Till the centre becomes fully operational, we can operate upon dogs at our hospital and the canine can be transported back to the centre for post-operative care. We expect to begin the sterilisation surgeries by mid-March,” he stated.

He appealed to the people to adopt stray dogs instead of going in for foreign breeds to help curb

their population.