2,228 and counting: Dogbite cases on the rise as canines rule Panchkula streets

As the canine menace only seems to grow in the city,the MC’s plans to curb it have failed to materialise. For a year and a half,there has been no contractor in Panchkula to catch dogs. When two contractors left the job of catching the canines,the MC floated new tenders for a fresh contract. After allotting the tender to a new contractor,the sterilisation process was finally revived last month. But it had to be stopped owing to complaints from some residents.

The residents of Devinagar had complained of noise from the Animal Pet Centre in Sector 3. “Some 20-30 people had met me and complained about the noise from the centre. Hence,the sterilisation had to be stopped,” O P Sihag,Executive Engineer,MC,had said at the house meeting held last month. He had then assured that a noise-proof shed would be built soon and the sterilisation would be started again.

However,the MC is yet to float tenders for allotment of a contract for the construction of the proposed shed. “We have prepared an estimate of the costs involved. Hopefully,the tender will be floated within a week,” said Sihag.

The mayor also pins her hopes on the upcoming shed for curbing the menace. “The problem of stray dogs is a matter of grave concern. The MC has taken serious note of the problem and it would be controlled with the construction of the new shed which would start soon,” said Mayor Upinder Kaur Ahluwalia.

While there seems no end to the stray dog menace in Panchkula,311 cases of other animal bites have also been reported this year.

With around 5,000 cases reported in just 22 months,more than 200 cases of dogbites are reported here every month. “Stray dog menace has always been a serious problem in Panchkula with eight to 10 cases being reported every day. The work of the authorities concerned has failed to show any results,” said Dr Sanjeev Trehan,senior medical officer at the hospital.

At present,the hospital sells anti-rabies vaccine (ARV),consisting of a total of five injections,at a subsidised rate of Rs 100 per injection. Without the subsidy,it costs around Rs 320 per injection.