Dog-bite cases keep Shimla on the edge

Navneet Rathore

Shimla, February 27

Dog bite cases in the state’s capital have risen at an alarming rate over the past few years, making locals as well as tourists concerned. Shimla, which is also one of the most popular hill stations of the country, has been facing the stray dog menace for quite some time.

In the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, 1,497 cases of dog bite (753 cases by pet dogs and 744 cases by stray dogs) were reported last year. Similarly, 1,636 cases of dog bite (739 by pet dogs and 897 by stray dogs) were registered in 2022. As many as 980 cases (509 of pet dogs and 471 of stray dogs) were reported in 2021 while 661 cases (364 by pet dogs and 297 by stray dogs) were reported in 2020. The data shows that not only stray dog cases but also pet dog bite cases are rising in the city.

Aditya, a resident of Shimla, says that the dog and monkey menaces are big problems in the city. Packs of stray dogs can be seen at various public places, posing a threat to commuters. “Stray dogs bite and attack pedestrians. They become more aggressive when someone tries to shoo them away.”

Reena, another resident of Shimla, says that it is very difficult to walk in the city, especially for children. “Dogs and monkeys attack children while they are on their way to school or back home. Children cannot even play outside their homes due to the fear of being attacked,” she adds.

Mayor Surinder Chauhan admits that the dog and monkey menaces are indeed big problems in the city and steps are being taken to tackle them. He says that the Municipal Corporation during the Budget session proposed a 100-per cent sterilisation scheme for dogs in the city. “To get rid of stray dogs, a census is being conducted in the city for the very first time” he adds.

Recently, a delegation of the Shimla Nagrik Sabha met the Mayor and urged him to take strict steps to curb the dog and monkey menaces.