Pimpri Chinchwad residents troubled by stray dog menace

By: Pune Pulse

October 4, 2023

Pune: Residents of societies in Sant Tukaram Nagar & Vallabh Nagar like Ganga Skies, Swarganga etc are in distress as stray dogs in their locality charge on them, bark very loudly and they are always in the risk of being bitten by them especially kids and senior citizens.

Speaking to Pune Pulse, Prashant Homkar, a resident of Ganga Skies Society, Vallabh Nagar, Pimpri Chinchwad said, “The potential danger for everyone due to stray dogs menace is very high. Huge barking noise from stray dogs at midnight and early morning is causing sleepless nights. They also enter our society posing a threat to kids and senior citizens. These stray dogs keep threatening senior citizens, children etc every time. We have complained about this issue to the PCMC but nothing has happened about it so far. Effective action on ground level is required by the PCMC for us to stay safe.”

Another resident of Ganga Skies Society, Vallabh Nagar, Pimpri Chinchwad, requesting anonymity, said, “At the main entrance of our society, around 8 to 9 stray dogs are present. Kids are so afraid to go near the gate while going to school or for playing outside. These stray dogs keep barking very loudly especially at night time, causing damage to ears. Despite everything being normal, these dogs keep barking. Listening to them, stray dogs of other areas start barking, further exacerbating the situation. Nobody has control over these stray dogs. PCMC has complained many times about this but nothing has happened.”

Sachin Gonte, a resident of Ganga Skies Society, Vallabh Nagar, Pimpri Chinchwad said, “This issue has been prevalent in our society since 1 to 1.5 years. Earlier, there were only 3 to 4 stray dogs. Now, the count has grown a lot. We have taken them & kept them at a nearby area. However, they eventually came back. As soon as the society gate opens for any reason, these stray dogs enter the society and go in any direction. They start barking loudly every time. The kids have to be mandatorily dropped to the school transport by a parent due to these dogs. Whenever someone passes through the area or enters the society, these dogs start growling & barking, posing danger. This happens during the day time. The situation gets worse at night time. The PCMC has been notified a lot of times regarding this but no action.”

Sandip Khot, Deputy Commissioner, Veterinary Department, PCMC said, “Whenever we receive a complaint about stray dogs, we immediately rush to the spot where we sterilize them with rabies vaccines. However, we cannot take these dogs away to different locations. We have conducted several drives there as well.”

Shreyas Vange