With dog bite cases on the rise, Mohali’s residents have demanded  a solution for Stray Dog Menace from Mohali Municipal Corporation (MC). However, the MC officials claim to have conducted regular sterilization drives to check the stray dog population in the city.

Stray dog menace

A recent estimate put the street dog population in Mohali to be around 5,000. According to data from the Civil Hospital in Mohali, as many as 2,929 cases of dog bites were reported between January 1, 2016, and August 31, 2017.

A senior official in the Municipal Corporation said, “Since the contract has been given to a Maharashtra-based NGO, SPCA Udgir, we have conducted sterilization of stray dogs in Phase 1,2,4,7, 3B2 in a systematic manner.”

The cost of sterilization for the civic body is Rs 1,020 for a male dog and Rs 1,050 for a female dog. It includes catching, sterilization, post-operative care and vaccination expenses.

“From July 1 to September 25, 630 dogs had been sterilized and vaccinated,” he said.

The official said,

“Residents need to be aware of the law. People complain when we put the dogs in the same locality back after surgery. They simply want the strays to disappear from their area.”

Arun Sharma, municipal councillor, Phase 5, said,

“Residents in my ward regularly complain about the increasing canine population. The issue was raised in the house meeting. The administration should have a more proactive approach.”

Amarjeet Bhullar, Senior Vice-President of RWA, Sector 71, said

“Due to the proximity of Mataur village to the area, the stray dog population had increased. Dogs feed on the garbage bins and waste lying in the open.”

Balwinder Kumbra, a resident of Kumbra, said,

“The problem is aggravated by the residents who feed stray dogs. Children are scared to play in the open due to the presence of dogs.”

Payal Sodhi, People for Animals (PFA), an NGO, which acts as a consultant to the MC, said a community-oriented approach was required to address the issue.

Reference:  The Tribune

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