As the stray dog menace continues to haunt the city residents, the number of stray dogs is pegged at 7,928 in the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
According to the 19th livestock census report, which was released recently, as many as 7,928 stray dogs roam in Chandigarh’s streets. While 6,703 stray dogs were counted in urban areas, 1,225 stray dogs were found in rural areas during the 19th livestock census.With the civic body failing to tackle stray dog menace in Chandigarh, their population has soared by nearly 38 per cent in the past six years.
As per the report, the city has a total of 17,912 dogs. This includes 9,984 domestic dogs and 7,928 stray dogs. The urban areas of the city have 8,900 domestic dogs while 1,084 domestic dogs were counted in rural areas during the census exercise.In the previous livestock enumeration exercise held in the year 2007, the dog population in Chandigarh was 13,425 including 7,712 domestic dogs and 5,713 stray dogs.
Even as the city denizens have voiced grave concerns over stray dog menace in Chandigarh, the Municipal Corporation has failed to deal with the problem.As per the information provided by the Municipal Corporation, a total of 8,199 incidents of dog bites were reported at the rabies vaccination clinic in Sector 19 here from January 2013 to April 2014. Out of these cases, 1,823 pertain to bites by pet dogs and 6,376 by stray dogs in the city.
In 2013, there were nearly 8,000 dog bite cases and in 2012, the dog bite cases stood at nearly 6,900.According to MCC records, about 25 dog bite cases are reported everyday at Sector 19 Civil dispensary, which is the only anti-rabies clinic in the city. In 2011, the anti-rabies dispensary received a total of 4,724 cases of dog bites from the tricity.The local authorities have time and again come under fire for their failure to control the stray dog menace
Following the orders of the High Court recently, the civic body had started a campaign in Sector 16 to catch stray dogs and conduct a census exercise of stray dogs in the sector. The Municipal Corporation has also launched a toll-free emergency services-cum-stray dog helpline this year.According to the Centre notified Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules 2000 (“ABC Rules”), there is a ban on killing of the stray dogs, not even the ferocious ones. And, the ever-increasing population of stray dogs and unsuccessful sterilization has proved detrimental towards curbing rabies in Chandigarh.
An official of the UT Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department said: “The 19th livestock census 2012 report, which has been released recently, has reported a total of 17,912 dogs including 9,984 domestic and 7,928 stray dogs in the city.
He said, “During the livestock enumeration, every household in the union territory of Chandigarh was covered.”
1,900 stray cattle in Chandigarh
1,978 stray cattle were reported in Chandigarh during the census exercise. According to the 19th livestock census report, while 1,443 stray cattle were reported in urban areas, 535 were counted in rural areas of Chandigarh.
In the previous 18th livestock census, 1,448 stray cattle were reported in Chandigarh
Following three deaths due to stray cattle menace in the city last year, MCC had initiated stray cattle catching drive.
The MCC had caught more than 250 stray cattle during the drive. In all, 140 MCC workers and 100 police personnel were deployed for the drive.
last year, three city residents have succumbed to their injuries after an accident with stray cattle at night in the southern sectors of the city. All the victims were on two-wheelers.
At present, Chandigarh has two cattle sheds and a cattle pound. The cattle shed in Sector 45 can accommodate 350 animals and the one in Maloya has the capacity to accommodate 400 animals.
The cattle pound in Industrial Area can provide shelter to 150 cattle.