Why Are Stray Dog Complaints Rising in Ahmedabad?

Ahmedabad, Aug 8 (NationPress) As the monsoon season brings heavy rainfall to Ahmedabad, the city is concurrently experiencing a notable increase in complaints regarding stray dogs, akin to the seasonal rise in sightings of stray cattle on the streets. Over the past four months, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has recorded a total of 3,891 complaints concerning stray dog attacks.

In the month of July alone, there were 1,395 reported cases, indicating a significant uptick in incidents. Residents navigating the relatively deserted roads at night have frequently encountered aggressive packs of dogs, particularly in both residential and industrial areas. This escalating threat has raised alarm among citizens and has coincided with a troubling increase in the number of dog bite occurrences. Reports indicate that nearly 5,000 dog bite cases are recorded each month, bringing the total to over 20,000 in a span of just four months.

Despite the ongoing initiatives for sterilisation and vaccination, municipal officials acknowledge that the problem remains unresolved. According to AMC statistics, only 2,412 dogs have undergone sterilisation during this timeframe. Here’s a breakdown of the statistics: from April to early August, Ahmedabad has observed a worrisome yet fluctuating pattern in both stray dog complaints and sterilisation efforts.

In April, the city received 727 complaints and performed 549 sterilisation procedures. The number of complaints in May increased to 911, with 572 dogs sterilised. June saw a slight decline, with 573 complaints and 537 sterilisations.

However, July experienced the most significant spike, with 1,395 complaints—the highest recorded during this period—while sterilisation efforts reached 580. In the early days of August, 155 complaints were logged, with only 74 dogs sterilised. These figures showcase a substantial gap between the volume of complaints and the speed of sterilisation efforts, highlighting the urgent nature of the stray dog crisis in the city. While efforts to sterilise continue, many residents feel that these initiatives are not keeping pace with the burgeoning stray population. Municipal estimates suggest that there are over two lakh stray dogs roaming the streets of Ahmedabad.

In light of this growing challenge, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has invested over Rs 9.36 crore over the past three years in initiatives aimed at controlling the stray dog population. The AMC compensates contracted organisations Rs 976.50 per dog for their capture and relocation. According to Shehzadkhan Pathan, the Leader of Opposition in the AMC, the corporation allocated Rs 2.30 crore in 2020-21, Rs 2.56 crore in 2021-22, and Rs 4.5 crore in 2022-23 to address this issue.

Despite the increasing financial outlay, local residents report minimal relief, as the stray dog problem continues to escalate throughout urban neighbourhoods.