CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: Taluka place of Udgir from Latur district of Marathwada has reported around 22 cases of bites by stray dogs since December 23, causing panic among locals.Udgir city engineer Komal Kendre on Thursday said the victims of dog bites also include a couple of kids.
“There has been a sudden spurt in the incidents of dog bites in Udgir. The incidents of dog bites do not involve any Rabid dog. As a precautionary measure, all victims were administered anti-rabies vaccine and Rabies antiserum,” she said.The local civic body has increased the trips of dog vans in vulnerable areas of Udgir to capture stray dogs with the town said to have a stray dog population of around 600.“We have a dedicated shelter home for dogs where captured dogs are being kept. The Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme involving stray dogs has been intensified,” Kendre said.Sambhappa Kawade, a resident of Udgir, said the local municipal council must swing into action to check the menace of stray dogs.“The effective execution of the ABC programme is needed to control the population of stray dogs. This measure should not remain on paper. The menace of stray dogs could prove fatal if official neglect takes place,” he said.The authorities have been also taking public awareness drives involving schools and colleges among other institutions.
