Lakhs Spent In Karnal, Yet No Relief From Stray Dogs

Karnal, September 28: Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC) has no respite even after spending lakhs on sterilization and vaccination programs to tackle the problem of stray dogs.

According to data, Rs 8 lakh was spent on sterilization and vaccination of 1,190 dogs between September 2020 and February 2021. However, after this, no such program was executed in the city, resulting in increased menace. 

Health department data shows that in the past few months, there has been an intense increase in dog bite cases. In August and September this year, 2196 anti-rabies vaccines were issued at the Civil Hospital.

The KMC sources said a survey is yet to be executed to determine the number of stray dogs in the city. The tender will be floated for re-implementation of the sterilization program only after the survey.

Local resident Gaurav Aneja stated, “Even after taking up the issue with the MC authorities, the number of stray dogs is increasing day by day.”

Bank Colony resident Amit Mehta said pet owners should sterilize their dogs to avoid unscientific breeding, overpopulation, and abandonment of puppies. He said that the vaccination of dogs should be made mandatory and should be a pre-condition for owning dogs.

Former MLA Sumita Singh said that the authorities should take direct action against this growing crisis as there have been several accidents related to dog attacks in the recent past.

Deputy municipal commissioner Arun Bhargava said, “The MC is already working to curb the menace of stray dogs in the city and will soon get rid of it.”