Concerns are raised by the stray dog population and three fatalities in two months

In a horrifying turn of events, three people—an 80-year-old man and an 11-year-old child—were mercilessly slain in the Patiala area during the last two months as a result of stray dogs attacking them. The instances have focused attention on the long-running discussion regarding animal birth control (ABC) methods.

Data show that there has been an unsettling increase in the district’s stray dog population as well as the frequency of dog bite incidents. According to Health Department data, there was a notable increase in dog bite incidents, from 13,000 recorded cases in 2022 to an anticipated 16,000 instances in 2023 alone. Three unfortunate deaths have resulted from the nearly 6,000 documented dog bite instances that have occurred in the Patiala area over the last three months.

When the monthly trend of dog bite events is examined, the gravity of the issue becomes more apparent. There were 1,941 instances reported in January, rising to 2,078 cases in February and an astounding 2,102 cases in March. Experts worry that if this pattern continues, the annual total of dog bite incidents might exceed 20,000.

Interestingly, no animal birth control (ABC) program is being implemented to curb the growing number of stray dogs in the district, with the exception of the region under municipal corporation.

The ABC project in the city is led by Dr. Prapti Bajaj, the campaign director of the Compassion for Animals Welfare Association. She provided an update on the continuing efforts to address the issue of the number of stray dogs in the city. She said that up until December of last year, her organization had sterilised around 1,500 dogs.

Bajaj’s advocacy for the death of several canines due to their possible rabies presence caused problems for the project.

Sterilization operations were temporarily suspended but recommenced in March, mostly targeting stray canines that were within municipal borders.

2,102 INCIDENTS LISTED IN MARCH

When the monthly trend of dog bite events in the Patiala area is examined, the gravity of the issue becomes more apparent. There were 1,941 instances reported in January, rising to 2,078 cases in February and an astounding 2,102 cases in March. Experts worry that if this pattern continues, the annual total of dog bite incidents might exceed 20,000.