Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Visitors to the state-run Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in the city cited concerns about the rise in the number of stray dogs on the premises. They said their barking disturbs patients, and their roaming in packs could lead to conflict situations.Patients and their kin sought measures by the authorities to humanely control the population on the hospital campus.When TOI visited the spot, several stray dogs could be seen in front of the casualty department, mortuary and a few other areas witnessing large footfall.Health activist Pravin Shinde said, “The issue is a bit worse during night hours, as the dogs begin barking in groups. This disturbs patients and their relatives.”According to some GMCH staffers, the stray dogs are unfed, leading to them scavenging on leftover food of patients’ relatives and other visitors when it is improperly disposed of.A hospital staffer requested anonymity and said, “Some garbage dumping is witnessed near parts of the hospital’s boundary walls. The porous boundary towards Makai Gate has a few meat shops outside, due to which the animals naturally congregate there.”When TOI tried to reach out to GMCH dean Dr Shivaji Sukre, he was unavailable for comment on the issue.
