The South Delhi Municipal Corporation’s failure to tackle stray dog ‘menace’ despite increasing the Budget allocation from Rs 2 crore to Rs 10.40 crore in 2016-17 was at the centre of attraction when the SDMC House meeting was held on Monday.
Raising the issue, leader of Opposition Farhad Suri and a host of councillors said no visible change has been noticed on the ground with residents continuing to face hardship as population of dogs has gone up.
“Increasing the Budget is not serving the purpose. The SDMC needs to work on the ground in order to ensure some result. The agency has failed in sterilising the dogs. They are trying to get dog vans but the condition of these dog vans is pathetic. A dog is known to have strong sense of smell, so when these vans arrive the dogs immediately run away due to the stench,” said Suri.
According to estimates, there are nearly two lakh stray dogs in SDMC areas. During April-December 2015, 20,936 dogs were sterilised by the SDMC. In April 2013-March 2014, 14,349 dogs were sterilised which rose to 19,398 by March 2015.
“The figures show that only 10 per cent of dogs have been sterilised by the
SDMC whereas to maintain the status quo of the number of dogs, at least 70 per cent of dogs should be sterilised
otherwise number of
dogs will grow tremendously,” said Suri.
In 2015, some 3,430 cases of dog bites were registered, less than 2014 when 5,295 cases were reported.
SDMC councilor from Jangpura Extension, Abhishek Dutt said more should be done to address stray dog menace and the unit of dog catchers is severely short staffed.
A month ago, the SDMC promised to come up with new centres in Bijwasan, Mundela, Nangli and Masoodpur which would have a capacity to sterilise 100 dogs per day. But nothing has come on the ground, said sources.
However, the Commissioner said last year 21,000 dogs were sterilised. “With the opening of four more centres, the civic body will be capable of achieving the target of sterilisation of 35,000 dogs annually.”
Besides, the agency has also planned to open four more centres in Dwarka Sector-9. These centres will have the capacity to sterilise 200 dogs per day, he said. SDMC will also procure 10 dog vans for catching them and it has entered into an agreement with some
organisations for a survey of stray dogs.