Mohali Civil Hospitalrecords 602 dog-bite cases this year

This figure does not include the number of dog-bite cases reported in private hospitals in the city.

Currently,the anti-rabies vaccine (ARV),which consists of a total of five injections,is sold at a subsidised rate of Rs 100 per injection in the Civil Hospital. Without the subsidy,it costs around Rs 350 per injection.

The number of cases in the month of July this year was a record 179,which led to shortage of ARV stock in the hospital. “We generally don’t run out of stock,but the number of cases last month was unexpectedly high. We have ordered more stock,” said a staff member at the hospital.

Although no data exists for the total number of stray dogs in the city,the reason for such a sharp increase could be the lack of measures on the part of the Municipal Corporation. Till last year,a number of dogs were kept in check by regularly carrying out sterilisation drives. This year,however,no such project has taken place. “We normally outsource the sterilisation process to private veterinarians but we are yet to do it this year,” said Dilraaj Singh,Joint Commissioner,MC.

As per him,catching dogs for sterilisation is difficult because many residents partially adopt these dogs by regularly feeding them and protest when the MC tries to catch them. “Moreover,sterilisation hardly makes a difference because the dogs which are left out multiply very quickly,” he said.

“The Mohali MC should start using modern techniques of sterilisation which include a micro-surgery. It is not only cost-effective but requires lesser recovery time which at present is a week-long process. It is already being followed in parts of Delhi,” said Kuljeet Singh Bedi,an ex-councillor.