Pune News : Amanora Park Town Residents Express Concerns Over Surge in Stray Dog Bite Cases, Appeal for PM’s Help

By: Pune Pulse

July 22, 2023

Pune: The residents of Amanora Park Town in Hadapsar worry as the number of stray dogs and their attacks are increasing every day. As a result, people fear to step out of their homes. 

Speaking to Pune Pulse, a resident of Amanora Park Town, Hadapsar, requesting anonymity said, “The issue has risen post Covid period. A lot of people come and feed dogs, and that is why other stray dogs have entered our society. There are so many stray dogs in the society now. They pose a serious threat to everyone.”

Another resident of Amanora Park Town, Hadapsar, requesting anonymity, said, “ The number of stray dogs has increased especially after the corona period. Hence, we have filed a petition seeking balanced rules for the peaceful coexistence of the people and stray dogs as we do not hate the stray dogs or the people who feed them. The only concern is the safety of the people.”

The residents in their petition are demanding below mentioned changes :

1. Ear Tagging of each Stray Dog with ID and this ID will be linked to the Adhaar card of the Dog Feeder. These tagged dogs will become community dogs.

2. The Stray Dogs who do not have any feeder, will be tagged to the Municipal Commission and they will be considered for common areas designated by the corporation. Corporations will feed them, vaccinate them, and sterilize them as well.

3. Dog Feeder will be fully responsible for the community Dogs tagged to them including feeding, sterilization, health, and vaccination through local corporations, vets,

4. The feeding point will be 500 meters away from the residential areas/play areas of the kids. Feeding outside the designated area will be a criminal offense liable for punishment under various sections of CRPC.

5. If any community dog becomes aggressive, the dog will be permanently relocated to the common areas designated by corporations. A complaint filed by a dog feeder or more than three residents should be sufficient.

6. RWAs will have the right to relocate community dogs on the complaint of ten or more residents in case the community dogs become a threat. It is absolutely essential for dog feeders to keep harmony with their ecosystem and ensure that community dogs do not pose any threat.

7. All sections related to stray dogs that violate Human Rights should be revised, as equity is important when treating man and animal and the laws should be balanced in order to generate real harmony.

Citizens can join the petition through – https://www.change.org/p/relief-from-stray-dog-incidents

Another resident of Amanora Park Town, Hadapsar, requesting anonymity said, “Due to people feeding stray dogs, their numbers have increased. Dog feeders ignore us and do not go to the designated spots to feed them. The nuisance is getting worse day by day.”

Another resident of Amanora Park Town, Hadapsar, requesting anonymity said, “Due to the increase in the number of stray dog menaces in the society, my 11-year-old son has refused to go out to play.”

Another resident of Amanora Park Town, Hadapsar, requesting anonymity said, “I am neither against dogs nor the feeders. The only concern is that the current guidelines are quite ambiguous resulting in unfettered feeding of stray dogs in undesignated areas resulting in many incidents of stray attacks on children and senior citizens.”

Another resident of Amanora Park Town, Hadapsar, requesting anonymity said, “The number of stray dogs has increased in the society. They have entered the society premises as the stray dog feeders feed them in the premises itself and not in designated spaces. It is dangerous for senior citizens and kids to venture out. In the basement area, these dogs shock us suddenly by jumping out of nowhere and barking at us.”

Another resident of Amanora Park Town, Hadapsar, requesting anonymity, said, “ During one of my morning walks, some stray dogs ran towards me. In order to save myself, I ran too. However, I fell. One of the stray dogs had his front legs on top of me and the other two started barking. Some senior citizens who were out for their morning walk saw me and chased them away. After that, I am scared to step out.”

Dr Sarita Funde, Veterinary Superintendent, Veterinary Department, Pune Municipal Corporation said, “People who are bitten by stray dogs are given appropriate vaccinations which are proving effective for them. The stray dogs found by the PMC are given vaccinations. If they have rabies & still their condition hasn’t improved, then, after another vaccination, they are let off in a secured area. If people get bitten by stray dogs, they must inform the PMC health department immediately, following which our officers will take necessary steps as per the protocol.”