Beware of dogs, say BMC figures

Figures released by the civic body indicate that the number of canine attacks in Mumbai are on the rise. Vets, civic body officials and activists disagree about why this is so

Is the city's canine population getting more menacing and aggressive by the day? If the figures from the civic body are anything to go by, the number of dog bites suffered by Mumbaikars has increased in the first half of 2011.
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Compared to the 30,971 dog bites reported in the period of January-April last year, this year has seen a considerable rise in the number, touching 32,127.


Incidents of dog bites in the city have increased in the first half of 2011. Animal activists opine that
the canine population has gone up because of the low rate of sterilisation


The non-governmental organisations working in the field of animal birth control (ABC) have opined that the low rate of sterilisation in the city has indirectly increased the canine population in the city, which in turn has led to the rise in the number of reported attacks.

The figures released by the civic body give some cause for concern, since this year's increase is actually a case of deterioration, made more conspicuous by the fact that the instances of dog bite had actually dropped from 77,652 in the year 2009 to 70,130 in the year 2010. This year's figures thus seem to have brought the BMC back to square one.

Dr A P Chaudhari, medical superintendent at GT Hospital said, "We tend to at least four to five cases of dog bites every day. Most victims come to the hospital to take the anti-rabies injections as a precautionary measure." The casualty department at the civic-run Nair Hospital has also been receiving an average of four to five cases of dog-bites every day.

Activist speak
Animal activist Amol Shinde, a member of the Animal Protection Club, said, "The rate of sterilisation is rather low in the city, and a female dog can deliver twice a year. If she is not sterilised, she will have a litter of at least 10 to 12 puppies. The population thus increases manifold, leading to more incidences of dog attacks and bites."

Echoing Shinde's sentiments, Sunish Subramanian, founder of the organisation PAWS, said, "The rate of sterilisation is extremely low, as a result of which the canine population has increased. The number of sterilisation centres should be increased in wards.
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Ideally, there should be at least one centre in each ward. Besides, efforts should be made to increase the level of general awareness about how to approach dogs."

At present, Mumbai has only eight sterilisation centres in the city. The civic body pays a sum of Rs 800 for the sterilization of each dog.

Canine temper?
Veterinarians are of the opinion that the sudden rise in canine aggression could be attributed to the scorching summer heat. Dr JC Khanna, secretary, BSPCA Hospital, said, "Just like humans, the dogs too are in search of shelter from the sultry weather. Dogs end up encroaching upon what is considered 'human territory' and this leads to a conflict between humans and dogs. Thus there is usually a rise in attacks during summer months."

Official speak
Officials of the civic body, however, have offered a contending cause for the rise in the number of attacks. Dr G T Ambe, executive health officer, BMC, said, "We have increased the number of anti-rabies vaccination centres across the city from 35 to 49.

Since more people now have access to treatment at these centres, more cases are being reported. We are administering the expensive anti-rabies injections free of cost. Naturally, more people are coming in for treatment."

Another BMC official said, "At times people take the vaccine even if when they have been bitten by cats and rats. Others opt for vaccination even when a dog scratches them. A distinction should be made between these cases."

Stay safe from canine wrath
> Do not leave small children unsupervised with pets.
> Do not run away from a dog. Abstain from shouting or making loud noises in front of a dog.
> Be sensitive to the animal's needs and moods. Don't mistreat it.