Terror of stray dogs in Taj Nagri

Agra (IANS) | Several people have died in the frequent violent attacks by stray dogs in Taj city and surrounding districts. Citizen groups in Agra, Mathura, Firozabad have demanded action to stop the growing menace. Already the city is facing the menace of monkeys.

The Agra Municipal Corporation estimates that there are over 60,000 stray dogs in the city. 500 cases of dog bites are reported every day. Over 10,000 dogs have been sterilized in the last six months. Animal Welfare Officer Dr. Ajay Singh said that the target is to sterilize 60,000 stray dogs.

Family members of the victims said that the dogs had become aggressive and violent. People are feeling terrorized and are scared to even walk on the streets. Recently, a two-year-old girl was brutally mauled to death by dogs in Malpura area.

A pack of dogs mauled a doctor while he was out on his morning walk in Aligarh.

The university administration has constituted three teams of dog catchers from the Aligarh Municipal Corporation. More than a dozen dogs were caught.

Dr. Abedi said that the dog catching teams carried out their operation in areas covering Sir Syed House, RCA Hostel, Department of Wildlife Science, MM Hall and Medical Colony. He said that the municipal authorities have assured that dog catching drive will be conducted from time to time in the university campus and all possible help will be provided to the university administration.

While animal rights activists oppose action against stray dogs and appeal people to feed them regularly.

This issue is being raised loudly in the campaign for the ongoing local body elections.

Social activist Mukta Gupta says that the cities in the Taj Trapezium zone are facing the menace of dogs and monkeys. The problem is compounded when there is a shortage of anti-rabies injections in district hospitals. Municipalities must wake up to the looming threat, says Mukta.

–IANS