Threat of stray dogs engulfs urban areas in Sirsa

Residents of the city are becoming concerned as the number of stray dogs has significantly increased.

The issue of stray dogs is still present in the district administration and municipal councils, since there are now over 6,000 of them running loose on the streets. Not only have attacks by stray dogs been recorded in busy marketplaces, but also in affluent neighborhoods. Residents said that the authorities had not taken any action after numerous complaints.

Dog attacks are a regular concern to residents in HUDA zones. In the last several months, the number of stray dogs has steadily increased, but local body representatives have not launched a neutering program or developed a workable alternative.

Every day, government hospitals treat around thirty instances of dog bites. While some victims get therapy at home, many victims go to private hospitals for care. There have been reports of stray dogs attacking kids in HUDA Sector, including Geeta, Sakshi, and Jitendra.

In one such instance, stray dogs attacked Hardik Makhani, 8, in Sector 19, resulting in injuries. Residents are furious over the event, which was caught on video by CCTV. Similar to this, stray dogs in Sector 19 also assaulted Kushagar (7).

There have also been reports of stray dog attacks close to Rania Road’s major vegetable market.

Ramesh Mehta, a former council member, expressed alarm about the growing danger presented by stray dogs in HUDA Sector 20, part 2. He has pushed for action from the district administration in anticipation of any significant crisis. Some locals forbid their kids from leaving the home by themselves. Because of the threat posed by stray dogs, some of them are even considering selling their houses.

The local council has been unable to award a contract to a company for the neutering of dogs. Information indicates that the tender’s requirements are so onerous that no agency is prepared to accept them. The civic organization had issued a call for bids for this purpose in March, but no company applied. The tender floated again after that.

An agency must adhere to certain requirements, such as having a training certificate from the Veterinary Council of India, managing veterinary doctors, neutering dogs, providing equipment for dog catching, medicines, and anti-rabies vaccines, maintaining a registry, keeping male and female dogs apart, tagging dogs, and making sure that workers hired for the position are at least eighteen years old.

The issue of stray dog nuisance is present in several locations, such as HUDA Sectors 20 and 19, part 1, 2A, B, C, D, E, and F, Chatargarh Patti, Prem Nagar, Agarwal Colony, DC Colony, Ram Colony, and Barnala Road.

The municipal council’s executive officer, Atar Singh, said that a tender for dog neutering would be released shortly. “An agency did not reply to the earlier offer. The tender procedure will now be completed under the election code of conduct,” he said.