Beware of dog bites in Ggm! 7,113 cases registered in 2017
Gurugram: Increase in cases of dog bite continues to be a major challenge in Gurugram. The increase in the population of stray dogs especially in the residential colonies of Gurugram and their rising aggression has resulted in differences in opinion between various residents and dog lovers over the handling of stray dogs. While a certain group of residents feel that there must be firm action taken by the authorities towards the problem, the dog lovers want an amicable solution to the challenge. Recently, a man was bitten in Sector-46 area by the stray dogs and this resulted in an FIR being lodged by him as he accused the animal activists of preventing action against such animals.
An RTI report recently filed revealed that in 2017 there were 7,113 cases of dog bites that were registered in Gurugram. These were 1,372 cases more than what was registered in 2016 which was at 5,741. Further constant barking during night time, dog fights and hygienic issues have also been raised by aggrieved residents. According to official estimates, there are over 50,000 street dogs.
While concerns have been raised over the rising population of the stray dogs there is also a lot of affection which is shown especially by residents that live in the same locality with the dogs. Besides providing them with food, some of the residents have personally financed in getting these animals vaccinated and even got them sterilised. Some of the residents in collaboration with the NGO's are also setting up the dog shelter homes. "It is easy to blame the animals but humans are equally to blame for the rising aggression. Many of us blamed overfeeding of stray dogs but just imagine the plight of the dog that is hungry for two days and its behaviour and compare it with a well-fed dog, "said Shruti Khandelwal, a dog lover. "There are complaints of constant dog fights in my colony. Many residents feel that this, in turn, causes danger to them. To prevent this we are of chaining the dogs especially during the night time so that they are in control," she further added.
