TV
Dog bites and bull menace in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, have increased to an alarming proportion, thanks to the alleged administrative apathy and negligent attitude of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). On average, there are reports of dog bites and bull attacks daily in the state.
Even as the BMC has acknowledged the growing concern among residents in the smart city, people allege that little has been done to end the menace. The alarming rise in dog bites has prompted residents to call for immediate action.
In a recent incident, an elderly woman lost her life on Monday after she was attacked by an outrageous bull at Barimunda village, located on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. The deceased Hemalata Das was attacked by a bull, killing her on the spot.
The incident spread outrage as angry locals staged a road blockade and demanded compensatory support for the kin of her family. Irate locals, set tyres alight at Barimunda Chhak, causing significant traffic disruption. The protestors demanded that local authorities address the incident and provide adequate support to the affected family.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first dog bite or bull attack incident in Bhubaneswar and its outskirts. Several people have lost their lives or been injured due to the tragic menace that has gripped Temple City.
Bull Kills Elderly Man, Injures 7: A bull ran amok and attacked several people in Patia, killing an elderly man and leaving around seven others injured. The animal roamed around the streets, wreaking havoc and triggered panic among people on December 11, 2022.
Elderly Man dies in Stray Bull Fight: An elderly man was killed due to bull fight in the city on August 21, 2013. The deceased Surya Prakash Mishra (60), was going with his wife Neelima Mishra (55) on a two-wheeler, when two fighting bulls came rushing towards them near Badagada Square. One of the bulls grievously injured the man while his wife also sustained serious injuries. Later, Surya died during treatment.
Raging Bull Gores Advocate To Death: A 57-year-old advocate was gored to death by a bull in 2013.
Dog Bite Menace in Odisha: As per a December 4, 2024 TOI report, Odisha reported over 2.43 lakh dog bite cases in 10 months and five lakh cases in two years. This was informed by fisheries and animal resources development minister Gokulananda Mallik to the Assembly.
“In 2023 and 2024 (till October), 502672 dog bite cases have been reported,” the Minister informed. With this, the state has reported around 24000 dog bite cases every month.
Public Response and Challenges:
The repeated incidents of dog bites and bull menace have spread outrage with little to no action at all. Locals have been demanding effective control measures for stray animals to prevent future such incidents. There is a vital need for swift administrative response to communal grievances.
BMC's Stray Dog Management Initiatives:
In response to the escalating stray dog menace, the BMC has announced several initiatives. Earlier, the BMC had announced to launch a comprehensive stray dog catching programme starting December 25, 2024.
It had also set an ambitious daily target of sterilizing 100 dogs per day. Additionally, a modern kennel has been constructed in Mancheswar to facilitate the sterilization program. The corporation had also introduced dedicated vehicles for carrying stray dog carcasses and plans to install an incinerator for proper disposal. However, the initiatives seem like yet to yield result.
Sterilization Efforts:
The BMC has reportedly decided to resume the sterilization drive from this Feburary end to curb the stray dog menace in the city. The BMC has also launched vaccination driver for stray dogs in different localities in the city.
However, stray dog menace continues to remain a major civic concern in Bhubaneswar and other parts of Odisha with more and more people being attacked by the canines on a regular basis. In the absence of a concrete step, there has only been a rise in dog bites and bull attacks.
