The rising number of stray dogs has emerged as a major cause of concern in the Raiganj municipal area in North Dinajpur district. Reports of dog bites have become a daily affair and the fear of rabies is giving people sleepless nights.
Residents have demanded sterilisation of canines and administration of anti-rabies shots to the stray dogs. Stray dogs are found in Milanpara, Ramendrapally, Mohanbati, Ukilpara, Kanchanapally, Bandar and Debinagar.
Their numbers have allegedly increased many folds in the last two or three years. Mayalal Pawan , a painter, who is a resident of Ramendrapally was bitten by a stray dog. “I was talking to a person standing on the road. Suddenly a stray dog bit me. I immediately visited Raiganj Medical College & Hospital and am getting a course of anti-rabies injection.”
Gautam Tantia, secretary of North Dinajpur unit of People For Animals said: “Last year, we sterilised some street dogs in Raiganj municipality area with our own efforts. We have all necessary infrastructures, including dog catchers but we have no funds. The Raiganj municipality or animal husbandry officials should provide us with financial support. We can then work towards a rabies-free Raiganj.” “If the members of social welfare organisations who have infrastructures for the vaccination of the dogs agree to work to make Raiganj rabies-free, we are ready to join hands,” said Sandip Biswas, chairperson for the board of administrators of Raiganj municipality.