Stray dog sterilisation drive in Bhubaneswar soon to tackle rising attacks

Photo: OTV

Stray dogs wandering on the streets in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to launch a sterilisation drive in the State Capital soon for stray dogs in an effort to manage the growing concern over dog attacks, the city’s Mayor Sulochana Das said on Tuesday.

According to sources, the initiative, which had been on hold, will resume shortly in response to the escalating number of stray dogs sighted across various neighbourhoods.

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In recent weeks, more than 500 people have visited the BMC hospital for anti-rabies vaccinations following dog bites, laying bare the seriousness of the situation.

The sterilisation programme was previously halted by a stay order of the Orissa High Court, but it is anticipated to recommence with a new, state-of-the-art facility in Mancheswar.

Besides, Odisha Animal Resources Minister raised the issue of dog bites in the Legislative Assembly during the recent Winter Session, highlighting that about 1.7 million stray dogs are currently on the streets across the State.

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Remarkably, over the past two years, more than 5,00,000 individuals have fallen victim to the canine attacks. Within eight urban areas in Odisha, around 4,600 dogs have undergone sterilisation. This year alone, up to October 31, at least 2,43,565 reported cases of dog bites have been recorded, compared to the previous year’s total of 2,60,000.

“Odisha Government has already provided us with the requisite number of veterinary doctors. Hence, we will begin the sterilisation of stray dogs at the veterinary hospital in Mancheswar soon. As a stay order of the court was in force, we were unable to carry out the sterilisation drive beforehand,” Mayor of the civic body expressed.