Every month, dog attacks in Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, cause 184 fatalities. The fact that dogs are now acting so aggressively that they are injuring people severely is concerning. Himachal Pradesh University Shimla’s study on the growing fear of dogs in Shimla has produced a number of startling findings. Research researcher Begiram and Assistant Professor Dr. Deepak Sharma of the State University’s Distance Learning Institute, ICDOL, conducted studies on dogs in 2021–2022. The data states that 1870 dog bite incidents were registered in Shimla hospitals in 2021.
Only 199 of the 1139 incidents had minor scratches sustained by the victims of a dog attack. There were 940 incidents when the victims’ bodies had severe wounds from dog attacks. This demonstrates that dogs are attacking with aggression. There have been no verified reports of the remaining 740 cases. The study also included information on dog bite incidents that occurred in Shimla between January 2021 and April 2022. Dogs bitten 2951 individuals throughout these 16 months. This also covers residents of the city’s surrounding neighborhoods who visited these facilities to receive vaccinations following dog bites. This includes incidents of pet dog bites in addition to stray dog occurrences.
Terror increased due to failure of sterilization-waste management
The report claims that several explanations have been offered for the rise in dog phobia. Among these, the city’s unsuccessful dog sterilization initiative is seen as a primary cause. After beginning in 2006, this campaign abruptly ended in 2011. For many years, this campaign remained closed. Even the precise number of dogs is unknown to the Municipal Corporation. They have not yet been tallied in the city. The number of dogs is also rising as a result of improper rubbish management in the city, a lack of participation in the sterilization program, and unmarked feeding facilities. The city does not have a dedicated helpline for reporting dog bites.
The Municipal Corporation does not even have a doctor
The city is the epicenter of stray dog fear. Even sterilizing them is beyond the municipal corporation’s capabilities, let alone offering assistance. There isn’t even a doctor at the corporation who can sterilize pets. For a month, the positions of doctors are unfilled. The Animal Husbandry Department even moved the doctor and VPHO who were appointed to the Corporation, despite the corporation’s request for six physicians. Even dog sterilization is no longer practiced in the city. Mayor of the Municipal Corporation Surendra Chauhan claims that he has discussed this with the government. Soon, a doctor will be sent out.
The growing fear of dogs and monkeys in the capital is beyond the ability of the government, the district administration, and the municipal corporation to alleviate. Teams from the Municipal Corporation and the Forest Department only capture the dogs and monkeys for sterilization when individuals complain about the attack. They are not even apprehended if they have already been sterilized. A dog or monkey is captured and placed under surveillance for 10 days if it attacks frequently. They then return it to the original location where it was picked up. For this, the Forest Department and Municipal Corporation cite regulations.The rules made for these animals are so strict that nothing can be done other than sterilization. Earlier, the Forest Department used to give compensation for monkey bites. But now only free vaccines are given.
Dogs mauled a young man who ran to escape from a monkey; incident outside DC office
In Shimla, the fear of stray dogs persists. On Friday night, dogs attacked a young guy outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office at CTO Chowk. When the dogs on the opposite side of Mall Road attacked this young man, he fled to avoid the attacking monkey. Around 5:00 p.m. on Friday, the event took place. This young man and his companions were wandering Mall Road in New Shimla. This young man and his pals were attacked by a monkey as soon as they arrived at CTO Chowk. According to the young man, he fled from the monkey by running backwards, but the dogs suddenly attacked him from behind. The young man’s thigh was bitten by a dog. He was later treated in the hospital by his pals. There have been previous dog bite incidents on Mall Road. Dogs have been biting humans every day even before this. Numerous dog packs are active along Mall Road at CTO Chowk, Naz Chowk, Khel Parisar, and Shilli Chowk, attacking pedestrians.
