IF YOU thought that the death of a four-year-old girl in attack by a pack of stray dogs at village Bharkas near Butibori last month was one-odd remote case, think again. For, data reveals that in Nagpur city, the Second Capital of Maharashtra, average nine cases of dog-bites involving stray dogs are recorded daily! As per the data provided by Health Department of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) in response to an application under Right to Information (RTI) Act by city-based activist Abhay Kolarkar, in 33 months from April 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021, the city recorded 8,843 cases of biting by stray dogs. In 2019-20, there were as many as 5,701 cases. On an average, that year saw 475.08 cases per month, i.e 15.83 cases per day! The next year, 2020-21 saw a drop in dog-bite cases involving stray dogs, mostly due to lockdown imposed in the wake of rise in number of COVID-19 cases. That year, 1,163 cases of biting by stray dogs were recorded in Nagpur city. It meant an average 96.91 cases per month, that is, 3.23 cases per day. In 2021-22, however, as the restrictions eased, the dog-bite cases saw and increase again. As per the official data provided by NMC Health Department to Kolarkar, in nine months from April 1 to December 31 in 2021, the city recorded 1,979 cases of biting by stray dogs.

 

It comes to average 219.88 cases per month, that is, 7.33 cases per day. It may be recalled here that NMC had last conducted a sterilisation drive for stray dogs in 2018. Total 81,188 stray dogs were recorded in all 10 zones surveyed in 2017. Of these, 71,185 were roaming male, female, and puppies. On an average, 2,136.5 dogs were recorded per prabhag. Nagpur city has 38 prabhags. Of the dogs recorded in survey, operation could be performed on 59,836. As per the data provided by NMC now, 15.94 per cent of the dogs then were ‘neutered and sterilised’. The survey was conducted from June to October in 2017, between 6 am and 11 am and 4 pm and 6 pm. The city recorded biting cases by other animals too, but the highest number is of attack by stray dogs. The biting cases involving other animals for 33-month period between April 1, 2019 and December 31, 2021 are as follows: Monkey -- 148, Mice -- 190, Horse -- 5, Rabbit -- 19, Pig -- 25, Mungoose -- 68, Cat -- 933, and Others -- 31. As per the official data, from February 2019 to January 2020, NMC received bills for sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination of 5,235 stray dogs. Vets for Animal submitted the bill of Rs 700/- per dog. Thus, the total bill that year was of Rs 36,64,500/-. Between February 2020 and August 2020, the data reveals, total 3,066 sterilisations and vaccinations of stray dogs were carried out for which the bill amount was Rs 29,58,300/-. As far as permits issued for pet dogs are concerned, the department issued 104 permits in 2019, 126 in 2020, and 110 in 2021. Regarding action against dog-owners based on complaints received by NMC, data states that two notices were issued in 2019, followed by 16 in 2020, and 15 in 2021.

 

 

In various parts of the city, several incidents of stray dogs attacking especially children and running after vehicles resulting in vehicle-rider getting panicked have happened of late. Many even went unreported. The latest one happened in a garden in Naik Layout near Viveka Hospital, on Tuesday. Three stray dogs entered the garden barking at each other, and suddenly attacked a 12-year-old boy sitting on a cement pipe in the garden. The boy sustained bite and scratches in the incident.

 

The boy, son of Lt Col Aniruddha Deshpande (Retd), got injured and was taken to hospital for treatment. Lt Col Deshpande (Retd) spoke to corporator Sonali Kadu and also tweeted about the incident tagging Dayashankar Tiwari, Mayor.

 

“The corporator told me that she got many such complaints. However, whenever NMC initiated any action, animal-lovers came into picture and this hampered sterilisation and other actions. NMC must regularly share with people how many dogs have been sterilised and whether tagging is done etc, through social media,” Lt Col Deshpande told ‘The Hitavada’. He pointed out that many people offered biscuits to stray dogs due to superstitions. Further, he flagged how issues with garbage disposal attracted stray dogs. He elaborated, “Especially meat-sellers and saoji restaurants dispose of food waste unscientifically.

 

This attracts packs of stray dogs posing risk to people. The rules for scientific disposal of food waste should be strictly implemented in case of meat-sellers and saoji restaurants. In and around Trimurti Nagar Square also, there are many stray dogs at any given point in time due to previously existing meat shops. NMC must pay heed to all related issues.”

 

 

DR GAJENDRA Mahalle, Veterinary Officer, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), told ‘The Hitavada’ that NMC, andWadi, Hingna, and Kamptee municipal councils had submitted a joint proposal to the State Government seeking funds for fresh survey and sterilisation drive. According to Dr Mahalle, the proposal has been sent to Regional Joint Commissioner (Animal Husbandry).

 

“An expenditure of Rs 17 crore has been estimated, and sought, for sterilisation of stray dogs. The sterilisation process includes first survey, sterilisation, and then repeat or follow-up survey,” he said. Asked about dog-bite incidents involving stray dogs, Dr Mahalle said that NMC attended complaints through social media platforms, online, through ‘Nagpur Live City’ app, telephonic, or in writing.

 

“Once we receive a complaint, we identify stray dog in stated area, catch it, keep it under observation, and then vaccinate it before releasing it. If a dog is rabid, it shows symptoms in 10 days,” he said. However, what about such released dog biting citizens again? To this question, he said that dog-bite victims could get treatment and antirabies vaccine for free in NMC hospitals .