Fear has gripped citizens in Swagat Society, Sahakar Nagar, after a pack of 7-8 stray dogs attacked a calf near Vedant Onyx Apartment, close to Inkane Chakki, on November 6, complainant Uday Madyeswar said. Madyeswar said locals rushed and chased away the dogs, saving the calf. He alleged the same pack sits in the lane all day and turns more aggressive after sunset. Persons returning home alone at midnight are often surrounded by 6-8 dogs that bark, chase and try to attack. “We have to move with our lives in our hands, especially after 10 pm,” he said. Maya Arvind Hade, Corporator, Ward No 36-B, said she has received complaints from area.

 

“This is a serious issue of public safety. I have taken up the matter with NMC’s Veterinary Department and Hanuman Nagar Zone. I have asked for immediate deployment of a dog-catching van, vaccination and sterilisation of the pack, and will raise it in general body meet if action is not taken in 48 hours,” Hade said. RTI data obtained by activist Abhay Kolarkar shows Nagpur reported 44,660 dog-bite cases in five years 5,800 in 2021, 8,317 in 2022, 9,110 in 2023, 9,429 in 2024 and a record 10,944 in 2025. In 2026 alone, 4,226 cases were reported in January-April. Eight rabies deaths were reported till February. NMC’s ABC programme, it runs from Bhandewadi, Gorewada and Maharajbagh, sterilised 69,389 dogs between May 2023 and February 2026, but has been stalled since March 31 after contracts expired. Veterinary Officer Dr Sunny Magar said five new agencies have been finalised and approval is pending due to MLC election Model Code of Conduct, with operations likely to resume in December. At present, NMC has only 10 vans for an estimated 90,000 to 1 lakh stray dogs.