Kalyan: A major stray dog-bite scare has gripped Kalyan after around 150 people were reportedly bitten by dogs near Kalyan railway station( Kalyan dog bite ) on Monday, a day after more than 130 people were allegedly attacked in the Khadakpada area. The incidents have raised serious questions over the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation’s (KDMC) measures to control the city’s stray dog population.
The victims of the reported attacks reached Rukminibai Hospital in Kalyan for medical treatment and anti-rabies vaccination. A hospital staff member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that more than 130 people had reportedly arrived at the hospital for dog-bite treatment on Sunday, while a similar number of patients were seen on Monday.
Kalyan dog bite victims recount attacks near Kalyan station
Ram Prasad, a local resident, said he was on his way to get food outside Kalyan station at around 11.30 am on Monday when a dog suddenly bit him on the leg. According to Prasad, the same dog ran a few metres away and then attacked three other people.
Another victim, Sameer Akhtar Husain, said he was waiting near a bus stop while on his way to Malangad when he was suddenly bitten by a dog. He claimed that the dog went on to attack several other people after biting him.
A third victim said the dog was running around the area and randomly attacking people. Although the KDMC and police have said that the suspected dog was captured, the victim expressed doubts over the claim, pointing to continued reports of dog-bite incidents in the area.
KDMC team says suspected dog was captured
Umesh Borgaonkar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator who was part of the team searching for the dog allegedly responsible for Sunday’s attacks in Khadakpada, said the search operation began around 8 pm with police personnel provided by the DCP.
According to Borgaonkar, the dog was finally captured near Chikanghar police chowki at around 1.45 am on Monday.
Borgaonkar has demanded that the KDMC establish a dedicated Disaster Management Cell to deal with emergencies involving stray animals. He said the proposed cell should include an animal activist and trained personnel equipped to safely tranquilise and capture aggressive dogs from a distance.
Congress leader alleges KDMC failure
Navin Singh, Former Corporator and Congress leader, criticised the KDMC over the growing number of dog-bite incidents.
“The commissioner and the leaders of the KDMC have totally failed to control the stray dog menace in the city. Dogs biting 300 people within 24 hours is not a small matter,” Singh said.
He called for the resignation of the KDMC commissioner, mayor and other leaders in power, questioning who would be held responsible if any of the victims died.
Singh also alleged that funds meant for the neutering and vaccination of stray dogs may have been diverted to other works. However, this allegation has not been independently established.
Contradictory figures emerge from KDMC
The reported number of victims has also become a point of controversy, with different figures being cited by hospital authorities, local representatives and the KDMC.
A doctor posted at Rukminibai Hospital on Sunday night reportedly said that more than 130 people had arrived with dog-bite injuries. However, KDMC Commissioner Abhinav Goel said the suspected dog had bitten only around 12 to 15 people.
A subsequent KDMC press release stated that 58 dog-bite victims had been treated at Rukminibai Hospital on Sunday and said that higher figures being reported in the media were incorrect.
KDMC steps up sterilisation and vaccination efforts
On Monday, Commissioner Goel visited a dog shelter in Kalyan to inspect its preparedness. He said the civic body had increased the workforce involved in stray dog neutering and vaccination.
“From Wednesday, teams comprising dog catchers, veterinary doctors and surgeons will visit all the wards in the KDMC area to identify rabid dogs and neuter and vaccinate them,” Goel said.
The KDMC has also appointed an NGO to manage the city’s stray dog population. According to Goel, there may currently be around 80,000 dogs across the KDMC area.
The civic body aims to neuter and vaccinate at least 50 to 55 dogs every day and expects to bring the stray dog population under control over the next five years.
11-year-old victim stable
Meanwhile, an 11-year-old girl who suffered a Category A dog bite during Sunday’s incident has been admitted to Sion Hospital in Mumbai. She is currently reported to be in stable condition.
The spate of attacks has intensified concerns among residents over stray dog management, rabies prevention and the implementation of sterilisation and vaccination programmes across Kalyan-Dombivli.