Nine stray animals injured in road accidents in Nagpur every day over 52 months

NAGPUR: Not just motorists but stray cattle and canines also get injured in road accidents in the city. NMC’s veterinary department has recorded injuries to 13,888 animals including cattle, dogs, cats, goats and pigs in the last 4.4 years (from April 1, 2017 to July 31, 2021). It means an approximate nine animals are injured in road accidents every day.
Animal activists claimed that the number of road accidents involving animals is more than what the NMC has recorded. According to them, the civic body only considers the figures of injured animals admitted in its animal shelter in Bhandewadi.

According to data obtained from the department, in the last 52 months, as many as 9,358 stray dogs were injured in road accidents, followed by 3,127 cattle, 1,370 cats, 17 goats and four pigs. Eight birds of different species too were hit by vehicles on roads.
The injured animals were brought to NMC’s hospital-cum-animal-shelter. At least 30% of them died either immediately or after a few days, said an official.
In the first four months of this financial year (April 1, 2021 and July 31, 2021), 461 animals (298 stray dogs, 114 cattle and 49 cats) were injured in road accidents.
In 2020-21, there were less accidents as compared to 2019-20 because of restricted vehicular movement during the Covid-induced lockdown. In 2020-21, the NMC recorded 3,442 stray animals injured in road accidents, while the figure was 4,262 in 2019-20.
The NMC official admitted that the actual number of animals getting injured could be much more as many people don’t bother to inform the civic body whenever a road accident happens. “Instead, they let the animal die and speed away,” said Niha Khan, an animal activist and member of An Endeavour Foundation.
Most accidents involving stray animals took place either due to speeding or poor illumination on roads.
There are at least five NGOs working for stray animals in the city. Together they get around 15 cases daily. “On an average, we treat around 60 animals including cats, kittens, dogs and puppies every month,” said Khan.
Animal activists stressed the need for NMC to start animal birth control project and shifting cattle sheds outside city limits.