The stray dog menace in the cit has taken an alarming proportion with cases of dog bites going up every passing day. Still, the Patiala municipal corporation has failed to control the stray dog population and the proposal of a dog pound is still a dream.
Sterilisation of dogs is not being done and the availability of anti-rabies vaccine in government hospitals was irregular.
“Due to apathetic attitude of the MC, the dog population has gone up manifolds. Recently, I was attacked by a pack of stray dogs near Leela Bhavan. I was bitten and the very same day four more dog bite cases were reported from the same area,” said Yogesh Malhotra, a junior assistant at Government Dental College. He said that when he went to Rajindra Hospital, the anti-rabies vaccine was out of stock.
Mayor Amaninder Bajaj blames the villagers residing in the city outskirts for rise in dog population. “The villagers from peripheral areas scare the animals out to city outskirts, and they take refuge in the city,” Bajaj said, adding that an area for dog pound had been earmarked and hopefully it would be a reality by the end of this year.
City resident Col Kuldip Grewal (retd) said, “Scores of cases of dog bites are reported every year. Not only stray dogs even the pet dogs are left unattended on roads posing danger to the pedestrians. In the outer city areas, including cantonment area, dogs are a threat to the wildlife. When will the MC realise its duty and take effective measures.”
{{/usCountry}}City resident Col Kuldip Grewal (retd) said, “Scores of cases of dog bites are reported every year. Not only stray dogs even the pet dogs are left unattended on roads posing danger to the pedestrians. In the outer city areas, including cantonment area, dogs are a threat to the wildlife. When will the MC realise its duty and take effective measures.”
{{/usCountry}}Anti-rabies vaccine in short supply
Non-availability and shortage of cheap anti-rabies vaccine in Rajindra Hospital and other government dispensaries in the villages across the region is forcing the victims to opt for expensive alternatives available in the market.
Sources in Rajindra Hospital confirmed that anti-rabies vaccines in the emergency have not been received for the past several years.
Medical superintendent Dr Sharda said that they had placed an order for 5,000 vials of anti-rabies vaccines and the delivery was awaited.