Despite crores to MCDs, dog bite cases on the rise
NEW DELHI: Hospitals and polyclinics of the three Delhi municipal corporations have reported 34,039 cases of dog bites in the first five months of this year, according to a recent report. The figures till May 31 indicate that there are an average 225 cases of dog bites every day which is slightly higher than last year’s average of 223.
Despite crores allocated by the three municipalities to sterilise dogs, the cases of dog bites have remained unarrested over the years. In 2016, 81,491 cases of dog bites were reported.
The actual figures, however, are expected to be even higher as these do not include the cases treated at private clinics or hospitals. Out of the 34,039 such cases reported so far in 2017, 21,979 have been in North MCD, 11,146 in East MCD and 893 in South MCD.
A senior official from the veterinary department said that though there is no scientific evidence to prove that sterilisation controls dog bites, the canines become less ferocious after they are neutered. “At the time of sterilising dogs, we give them anti-rabies shots as well,” said Yoginder Singh Maan, spokesperson, North MCD.
However, experts claim that the agencies have failed to take cognisance of other factors responsible for increasing dog bite cases. Sonya Ghosh, founder of the Citizens for the Welfare and Protection of Animals, pointed out that the ‘pet dog’ bites and illegal dog fights are equally responsible for increase in bite cases.
NO DOG CENSUS
Despite specific allocations for dog sterilisation programmes every year, the civic agencies have failed to produce a collective data of dog population in city. Except for south MCD, which conducted a survey of stray dogs last year (1.89 lakh), north and east are still clueless about canine population in their areas. According to a conservative estimate, the numbers could be around 5.62 lakh.
LACK OF EFFORTS
According to experts, neither the municipality nor the Delhi government agencies are seriously implementing the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001.
“The rules hold the municipalities responsible for catching stray dogs (on their own or through NGOs) and sterilising them... But the agency is not doing anything,” said Ghosh.
However, an official from DAPCA refused the claim.
STERILISING THE DOGS
The three agencies have just 15 dog sterilisation centres — 12 in South and three in North. “To catch the dogs, they are mainly dependent on NGOs that charge ₹1,200 to ₹770 for sterilising the dogs. Also, the veterinary doctors barely participate in sterilisation programmes,” said Sanjeev Kumar, an animal activist.
To this, an MCD official said they are in the process of opening eight more sterilisation centres.