The Times of India:Friday, December 23, 2011.
MUMBAI: Despite taking steps to curb the stray dog menace in the city, there seems to be a steady increase in the instances of dog bites. An RTI application has revealed that there have already been 67,463 cases of dog bites registered till October this year.
The number of cases were as high as 77,484 in the last year. Figures suggest that with every passing year, there has been an increase of 8,000-14,000 cases on an average. However, there is no data to indicate how many of these dog bites have actually manifested to the life-threatening rabies infection. City NGOs insist that no confirmed case of rabies has been reported in the last couple of years.
The RTI query by activist Chetan Kothari has revealed how, in a decade's time, the dog bite cases have mounted from 53,051 to 77,484 in 2010. Executive health officer of the BMC, Dr Anil Bandivadekar, however, said it was not a cause for concern. "The higher numbers could be because of better reporting of bite cases. Also, the anti-rabies vaccine is easily available so there is no fear of tackling the menace," he added.
The number of cases were as high as 77,484 in the last year. Figures suggest that with every passing year, there has been an increase of 8,000-14,000 cases on an average. However, there is no data to indicate how many of these dog bites have actually manifested to the life-threatening rabies infection. City NGOs insist that no confirmed case of rabies has been reported in the last couple of years.
The RTI query by activist Chetan Kothari has revealed how, in a decade's time, the dog bite cases have mounted from 53,051 to 77,484 in 2010. Executive health officer of the BMC, Dr Anil Bandivadekar, however, said it was not a cause for concern. "The higher numbers could be because of better reporting of bite cases. Also, the anti-rabies vaccine is easily available so there is no fear of tackling the menace," he added.
The dog census carried out in 2008 shows that Andheri (E) has over the densest stray dog population in the city with over 7,619 dogs, while the Fort area, or A ward, has the least stray dog population with just over 147 dogs in the area. However, the numbers are again not clear whether the areas with the highest dog population are reporting more dog bite cases. Bandivadekar added that it was difficult to keep a detailed note of cases.
City NGOs, however, have a completely different take on the issue. They claimed that the actual cases of dog bite could be much lower than what is reported by the civic body. President Fizza Shah of the NGO In Defence of Animals ( IDA) said that even incidences of minor scratches are reported as dog bite cases. "More efforts have to be taken to make a distinction between the kinds of attack," she said. "A chunk of the dog bite cases could also be pertaining to pet dogs. So, we really do not know if it would be appropriate to blame it all on stray dogs," she added.
All NGOs immunize dogs with anti-rabies vaccine during sterilization drives. The vaccine remains effective for a year. Veterinary physician Dr Gopal Rayate from NGO AHIMSA said, "We make attempts to catch dogs and give anti-rabies vaccine every year." He was of the view that the actual cases of dog bites would be around 50% of the cases recorded by the civic body.
Rayate added that the new intra-muscular anti-rabies vaccine has more acceptability among the public as against the one that used to be given in the umbilical area. More people come forward to take it even as a precautionary measure. While the earlier vaccine had 14 doses, the new one has a shorter course of five doses. He added that dog bites are a menace, especially in slum areas.
Meanwhile, the city has a population of over 27,147 pet dogs. However, according to the BMC's records, only 7,007 dogs are licensed. According to a civic official, licensing dogs helps make the city safer for the general public because only those that are vaccinated can be licensed. "It is an essential rabies control measure and should be followed by every pet owner," said another doctor. An earlier study had suggested that unlicensed pet dogs contribute majorly to the spread of rabies.
City NGOs, however, have a completely different take on the issue. They claimed that the actual cases of dog bite could be much lower than what is reported by the civic body. President Fizza Shah of the NGO In Defence of Animals ( IDA) said that even incidences of minor scratches are reported as dog bite cases. "More efforts have to be taken to make a distinction between the kinds of attack," she said. "A chunk of the dog bite cases could also be pertaining to pet dogs. So, we really do not know if it would be appropriate to blame it all on stray dogs," she added.
All NGOs immunize dogs with anti-rabies vaccine during sterilization drives. The vaccine remains effective for a year. Veterinary physician Dr Gopal Rayate from NGO AHIMSA said, "We make attempts to catch dogs and give anti-rabies vaccine every year." He was of the view that the actual cases of dog bites would be around 50% of the cases recorded by the civic body.
Rayate added that the new intra-muscular anti-rabies vaccine has more acceptability among the public as against the one that used to be given in the umbilical area. More people come forward to take it even as a precautionary measure. While the earlier vaccine had 14 doses, the new one has a shorter course of five doses. He added that dog bites are a menace, especially in slum areas.
Meanwhile, the city has a population of over 27,147 pet dogs. However, according to the BMC's records, only 7,007 dogs are licensed. According to a civic official, licensing dogs helps make the city safer for the general public because only those that are vaccinated can be licensed. "It is an essential rabies control measure and should be followed by every pet owner," said another doctor. An earlier study had suggested that unlicensed pet dogs contribute majorly to the spread of rabies.
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