Prayagraj launches drive to control stray dog population
P
RAYAGRAJ: The civic body has launched a large-scale campaign to sterilise the city's over 1.1 lakh stray canine population amid increasing dog bite cases, reports Rajeev Mani.
The action follows a National Rabies Control Programme report that showed 1.9 lakh people were bitten by dogs in the city over the past two years. Of these, 58,948 were reported in 2023 and 1.4 lakh in 2024.
The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) is setting up an animal birth control centre in Shams Nagar Kareli (Haddigodam) where sterilisation and vaccination procedures will begin this month. Dr Vijay Amritraj, PMC's veterinary and welfare officer, said the centre had the capacity to house 200 to 250 dogs at a time. "Currently, Prayagraj has an estimated 1.1 lakh stray dogs, of which only 4,540 have undergone vaccination and sterilisation.
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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Animal birth control centres remain shut amid rise in dog bite cases
PUNE: While there is a surge in cases of dog bites in the city, two facilities that conduct the animal birth control (ABC) programme are closed since the past three months. What's more, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has reported a rise in cases of dog bites despite a fall in the population of stray dogs in the city. Patiala, India- 16 July 2016:::: Stray dogs in Patiala on Saturday, July 16, 2016. Photo by Bharat Bhushan Hindustan Times The PMC veterinary department has appointed non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to carry out the ABC programme at five locations namely Mundhwa, Wadki, Holkarwadi, Katraj, Baner, and Naidu hospital. Under the ABC programme, around 4,000 stray dogs are sterilised and vaccinated on a monthly basis, with about 300 sterilisations and vaccinations carried out at each facility every month. However, the facilities at Baner and Naidu hospital are closed since the past three months. While the facility at Naidu hospital has been shut due to ongoing roadwork, the one at Baner has been closed for electrical maintenance; officials said. As a result, the sterilisation drive has been severely hampered which in turn has affected the goal of effectively controlling the stray dog population in the city. Following the merger of 34 villages with the PMC, there is a need for more such facilities carrying out the ABC programme. Dr Sarika Funde-Bhosale, chief veterinary officer, PMC, said that the road department is carrying out resurfacing work near Naidu hospital due to which there is no access to that facility. Last month, the veterinary department has written to both the road and electrical departments, urging them to complete the pending road- and electrical maintenance- works on priority; Dr Funde-Bhosale said. 'The prolonged closure of the two facilities is affecting our ABC programme, which is critical for public safety,' she said. When contacted, Aniruddha Pawaskar, head, road department, PMC, said that he will look into the issue. Of the Baner facility, Dr Funde-Bhosale said, 'We are following up with the electrical department to carry out repair work on priority. We have also told the NGO to inform us if they do not want to conduct the ABC programme so that we can then appoint another organisation to conduct the same.' When contacted, Manisha Shekatkar, head, electrical department, PMC, said, 'I am unaware of any such correspondence received from the veterinary department.' As per the last stray dog Census carried out by the PMC in May 2023, the estimated stray dog population in the city has reduced from 315,000 in 2018 to 179,940 in 2023; officials said. The 34 villages merged with the PMC were not part of the last Census. Still, no ABC programme has been carried out in these villages which alone have a stray dog population of over 1.50 lakh.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Prayagraj launches drive to control stray dog population
File photo P RAYAGRAJ: The civic body has launched a large-scale campaign to sterilise the city's over 1.1 lakh stray canine population amid increasing dog bite cases, reports Rajeev Mani. The action follows a National Rabies Control Programme report that showed 1.9 lakh people were bitten by dogs in the city over the past two years. Of these, 58,948 were reported in 2023 and 1.4 lakh in 2024. The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) is setting up an animal birth control centre in Shams Nagar Kareli (Haddigodam) where sterilisation and vaccination procedures will begin this month. Dr Vijay Amritraj, PMC's veterinary and welfare officer, said the centre had the capacity to house 200 to 250 dogs at a time. "Currently, Prayagraj has an estimated 1.1 lakh stray dogs, of which only 4,540 have undergone vaccination and sterilisation. "
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
PMC launches campaign to control stray dog population amid rising bite cases
1 2 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn 57+ Languages Easily with AI [Join] Talkpal AI Sign Up Undo 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. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
