A few days ago, a pack of stray dogs created chaos near the Mahantesh Nagar bridge in Belagavi, causing injuries to five people, including four children. According to records from the animal husbandry department, Belgaum city has over 15,000 stray dogs, and the district has more than 77,000. This results in around 20,000 annual incidents of injuries due to dog bites.
The existence of these stray dogs has instilled fear among inhabitants, particularly students who travel throughout the city. The fear of stray dogs posing a threat to the public, including women and children, is widespread. Numerous instances have been reported across the district where not only pedestrians but also riders on two-wheelers have faced attacks, resulting in accidents. The issue of stray dogs has escalated in Belgaum district, with over 70,000 cases of dog bites recorded in the past four years.
A Mahantesh Nagar resident named Prakash mentioned that the widespread dumping of meat waste in the city has contributed to the rise in the population of stray dogs near hotels, dhabas, and street food stalls. The reluctance of local authorities to address the issue of stray dogs has also sparked public anger.
Numerous individuals bitten by dogs have sustained severe injuries, leading to months-long hospitalizations. In the past three years, four fatalities have occurred due to rabies resulting from dog bites. The jurisdiction of Belgaum City Corporation (BCC) has reported the highest number of cases related to dog bites.
Belgaum City Corporation (BCC) has established a reproductive control center in Srinagar, Belagavi, specifically for the sterilization of dogs. While individuals bring their pet dogs to this center, the staff from the corporation overlooks the sterilization of stray dogs. Consequently, the population of stray dogs in the district, including Belgaum city, is on the rise.
Dr. Sanjeev Nandre, the Health Officer of the Corporation, mentioned that Srinagar houses a dog sterilization center with the capacity to perform surgery on 30 dogs simultaneously. Each surgery incurs a cost of Rs 1,600, making sterilization an expensive process for the corporation. Dr. Mahesh Koni, the District Health Officer, added that individuals bitten by dogs receive anti-rabies vaccines, which are accessible at the health department.
