- Young man dies, civic apathy under fire
Bhopal: The growing threat of stray dogs in Bhopal has taken a tragic turn, as a young man recently lost his life after being bitten by one. The incident, which occurred just eight days ago, has shocked the city and sparked outrage over the Municipal Corporation’s continued negligence in addressing the crisis.
The deceased, a vital support to his family, fell victim to what seemed like a minor dog bite—highlighting the serious public health risks posed by uncontrolled stray dog populations. The tragedy paints a grim picture of the capital’s streets, where fearless packs of dogs now roam freely, often turning aggressive.
Residents say this is not an isolated case. Streets, alleys, and neighborhoods across the city are plagued by stray dog attacks, especially at night. Locals now live in constant fear, and the civic body’s lack of swift and effective action has only worsened the sense of insecurity.
Despite the growing threat, Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) appears reactive at best. Dog Catcher and department official Hari Rao noted:
“We only act on complaints. If we receive reports of biting incidents or noise disturbances, we conduct a catch-and-control drive in that area.”
According to BMC, 19,489 dogs were sterilized in the past year, and over Rs 4.25 crore has been spent on the sterilization program in the last two years. Yet, citizen concerns remain high. In total, more than 55,000 dogs have been sterilized over the past four years, but reports of aggression are rising, particularly during the summer heat. Locals frequently witness dogs chasing vehicles, attacking children, and creating nighttime disturbances.
On average, 15–20 complaints related to stray dogs are received daily, many involving bites that result in severe injury—or death. As public anxiety mounts, the pressing question remains: how many more lives must be lost before meaningful action is taken?
