Former minister leads drive against stray dog menace
Anshita Mehra
New Delhi, February 18
In view of the surge in stray dog population and consequent rise in dog-bite incidents, Lok Abhiyan president and former Union Minister Vijay Goel spearheaded a campaign to address the street dog menace on Sunday.
The drive was launched in association with residents welfare associations (RWAs) of Gaur City in Greater Noida.
During their interaction with Goel, members of the RWAs voiced apprehensions about the practice of feeding street dogs in nearby parks by “self-proclaimed” dog lovers. They said the practice had led to a surge in dog-bite incidents, posing a threat to the safety of residents, especially children and the elderly.
Emphasising the paramount importance of ensuring citizens’ safety, the former minister said, “The increasing instances of dog-bite incidents in this part of the city cannot be overlooked. It is our responsibility to take collective action to address the issue effectively.”
Goel also suggested initiatives such as administering anti-rabies injections to all dogs, increasing sterilization efforts, ensuring hospitals are equipped to provide anti-rabies treatment, holding dog owners accountable in the event of a dog-bite incident and advocating for changes in the Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules. He also advocated for compensation for individuals bitten by dogs.
