PMC launches campaign to control stray dog population amid rising bite cases
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Prayagraj: The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched a largescale campaign to sterilise the city's over 1.13 lakh stray canine population amid increasing dog bite cases.
The action follows a National Rabies Control Programme (NRCP) data that showed a staggering 1,98,964 people were bitten by dogs in the city over the last two years. Of these, 58,948 were reported in 2023 and a whopping 1,40,016 in 2024, showing a concerning surge.
In 2023, dog scratches accounted for 31,237 cases, 24,152 victims suffered bleeding injuries and 3,559 were severely wounded. In 2024, the numbers grew more alarming with 33,258 people getting scratched, 97,893 sustaining bleeding injuries and 8,865 seriously injured.
February 2024 alone recorded 2,800 serious dog bite injuries, the highest in any month.
The rising number of incidents has highlighted the challenge of managing stray dog populations.
To handle the situation, the PMC is setting up an animal birth control (ABC) centre in Shams Nagar Kareli (Haddigodam) where sterilisation and vaccination procedures would begin this month.
According to Rohit Kumar, the project manager from C&DS, the centre was built at a cost of Rs1.85 crore.
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It includes an operation theatre, kennel space, pantry, community kitchen, salon, dormitory and park. The facility can sterilise up to 32 dogs per day.
In addition, a largescale vaccination and sterilisation campaign has been launched, with the tendering process already underway.
Dr Vijay Amritraj, veterinary and welfare officer of PMC, said the centre has the capacity to house 200 to 250 dogs at a time.
"Currently, Prayagraj has an estimated 1.13 lakh stray dogs, out of which only 4,540 have undergone vaccination and sterilisation.
The city has also completed construction of two dog shelter homes, which are set to be operated by specialised agencies chosen through a tender process," said the official.
Authorities have assured that laws that prevent cruelty towards animals will be strictly followed in these facilities, he added.
Sources at PMC said catching stray dogs is no easy task, with municipal teams often facing resistance from locals and animal welfare groups.
These confrontations have made it difficult for municipal corporation to efficiently carry out sterilisation and relocation drives.
But now efforts are in full swing to ensure the safety of the city residents while maintaining ethical treatment of animals. The municipal corporation's plan aims to strike a balance between public safety and animal welfare by combining sterilisation, vaccination and controlled sheltering.
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