Pune faces surge in dog bite cases despite decrease in stray population
Pune faces surge in dog bite cases despite decrease in stray population
In a concerning trend, Pune has witnessed an alarming surge in dog bite cases, recording 2,839 incidents in May alone, the highest ever for the city in a single month. This spike has stirred panic among residents, as data from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) reveals a significant rise in cases despite efforts to control the stray dog population.
From January to May 2024, PMC documented 10,786 cases, a stark contrast to 20,943 cases reported throughout 2023. This surge comes amid a decrease in the city’s stray population, with only 85,000 out of 1.8 lakh strays sterilized last year.
According to Dr Sarika Funde, Veterinary Superintendent, PMC, “We have gotten an order from the Central Government to vaccinate at least 70% more of dogs with the aim to make Pune city Rabies free and it will create a third immunity.” Moreover, talking about the current cases, 4 out of 5 cases are minor whereas 1 is major, she further added.
Citizens are increasingly critical of PMC’s efforts, citing inadequate measures to tackle the stray menace despite escalating incidents, some of which have been fatal.
The PMC’s data also highlights a worrying increase in rabies cases, with 70 cases reported last year and 11 cases in the first three months of 2024. This underscores the urgency of PMC’s “Mission Rabies” initiative, aimed at eliminating rabies by 2030, yet facing setbacks in achieving its goals.
Statewide, Maharashtra reported over 4.35 lakh dog bite cases in 2023, marking an 11.32% increase from the previous year. This places Maharashtra at the forefront of dog bite incidents nationwide, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate such risks.
Despite efforts to control the stray dog population, which stands at an estimated 1,79,940 on city roads, the ratio of strays to human population remains challenging at 1:17. As Pune grapples with this public health challenge, residents are increasingly demanding more effective measures from authorities to ensure their safety and reduce the incidence of dog bites.
