GHMC reports 89 stray dog bite cases in one day
The Fever Hospital at Nallakunta witnessed a long queue of dog bite victims on Monday
Hyderabad: A total of 104 cases of stray dog bites were reported across the state on Monday, out of which 89 cases were reported from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits alone. The Fever Hospital at Nallakunta witnessed a long queue of dog bite victims on Monday.
Dr Chandrashekar, deputy RMO at the Fever Hospital, said, “Usually we get to treat 50 to 60 cases each day, but there has been a sudden increase in the cases for the past two days. Today, till 5 pm, the total dog bite cases registered are 104 in the state, out of which the GHMC reported 89 cases and from other parts of Telangana 14. One case is from out of Telangana.”
It may be remembered that a school student was attacked and killed by stray dogs at Ameerpet recently, and a similar incident took place at Boduppal, where a child lost her life as three stray dogs attacked her while she was playing outside her house.
There are allegations that stray dogs have been relocated from one place to another, which is illegal. Some of the elite gated communities and the localities where the rich and influential live, see to it these stray dogs are relocated.
Ashok, a staffer in one of the affiliated colleges of Osmania University, said, “Last year, around 10 stray dogs were released in our grounds, but we have no clue who did it. Last month, another batch of stray dogs was released here.”
Gowri Vandana, president, Animal Shelter for Rescue Aid, said, “It is illegal to relocate stray dogs, still there are cases of relocation of stray dogs. The elite localities bribe the authorities or the dog catchers to pick up the dogs from their locations and leave them either on the outskirts of the city or any other localities. This is done secretly.”
“When realtors start housing ventures, builders or the associations have to follow animal protection plans. Due to lack of awareness or the loopholes in the system, the stray dogs are at the receiving end.”
When contacted, GHMC’s chief veterinary officer Dr Abdul Wakil said, “Not a single case of dog bite has come to our notice. If any dog bites take place in the GHMC region, we immediately get the information.”