Fangs bared: Ludhiana cowers as stray dogs go on rampage

Ludhiana: With stray dog bite cases spiralling across Ludhiana, data from the civil hospital suggests that the problem has assumed alarming proportions. According to information from the civil hospital, the number of such dog bite cases in 2024 was the highest in five years, crossing the 13,000 mark.
The city reported 13,488 dog bite cases in 2024. As per data since 2020, the number of dog bite cases has crossed five digits for the first time since that year. Compared to 2023, the number of dog bite cases reported in the civil hospital was 42.6% more last year. However, the number of such cases in 2020 was 116.2% less as compared to 2024.
A health worker at the department said that each day, they receive around 40 to 45 dog bite cases and patients get vaccinated at the centre. The health worker added that the majority of these cases are from Ludhiana city and neighbouring areas.
Ludhiana civil surgeon, Dr Pradeep Kumar Mohindra, assured that they have sufficient stock of anti-rabies vaccines for dog bite victims. He advised such patients to get vaccinated immediately after being bitten by dogs or within 24 hours, as there is no cure for rabies.
Meanwhile, civil administration officials said that steps are being taken to check dog bite cases. Deputy commissioner Jitendra Jorwal said that they are carrying out activities as per ABC (Animal Birth Control) rules. "MCL (Ludhiana Municipal Corporation) already has a contractor who is carrying out sterilisation, and they have been asked to expedite it," he said.
He added, "We have directed the councils to issue tenders for sterilisation of stray dogs and majority of them have floated the same. In villages, wherever we receive complaints about such cases, sterilisation is being done by hiring services of such companies as per ABC norms."
Meanwhile, persons bitten by dogs said that authorities need to take strong action to check such cases.
A resident, asking not to be identified, said that he was bitten by a dog while going to the market to buy household goods. He added that the stray dog problem is increasing and authorities concerned should take necessary steps to address the issue.
MSID:: 117485115 413 | 3947051 83