Dog sterilisation resumes in Panchkula after a long halt
"A new agency has now been appointed and has been allotted the work for one year. But since this is the monsoon season, the programme is slow right now because healing takes time. After the monsoon, our campaign will pick up pace," said an officer of the Panchkula Municipal Corporation.
The sterilisation programme, which earlier covered around 500 dogs per month, was abruptly stopped, leaving residents increasingly anxious.
As per Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal, about 300 to 400 dog bite cases are reported per month in Panchkula.
"We're surrounded by stray dogs, and the numbers are clearly increasing. It's frustrating that the MC didn't plan in advance to ensure there is no gap in the operation. The tendering process should have started well before the previous contract ended. Otherwise, all the efforts made in the past regarding sterilisation get affected," said SK Nayar, president, Citizens Welfare Association.
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"Apart from this, local Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) should be involved in the programme. To make this campaign effective, there needs to be a proper check on the work that is being carried out by the agency. Because many feel as compared to sterilisation, the dog population and dog bite cases have not come down," he added. Health officials also noted that several bite cases reported in Panchkula's civil hospital originate from nearby areas, further burdening local health resources.
With the sterilisation drive now back on track, authorities hope to reduce the number of stray dogs and associated health risks in the coming months. However, citizens and activists alike stress the importance of long-term planning and uninterrupted implementation of such essential public health measures.
In the wake of a large number of dog bite cases being reported in Panchkula, the mayor had earlier approved arranging doctors, nurses, and vaccines at five community centres for timely treatment of victims and to give them compensation (Rs 10,000 per tooth mark) in a week as per Punjab and Haryana High Court's directions. But none of them could be implemented on the ground.
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