Aurangabad: At a time when the growing dog population in the city is proving to be a threat to the lives of people and livestock, the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) funds crunch is hampering its dog sterilisation campaign.On Sunday, dogs bit three children in Cidco N-2, Asefiya Colony and Jaisingpura. Earlier, a 5-year-old girl from Kabranagar sustained multiple injuries after a pack of dogs pounced on her. In November last year, 10-year-old Noor-e-Mujassam Pinjari of Barudgar Nala, died after sustaining injuries from dog attack. In December, stray dogs had killed four goats in Nagsen Colony.Mohammed Yahya, who lost his goats to dog attack, said the dog scare in his neighbourhood continues. “We have called the dog van several times but it hasn’t turned up.”Suhas Kulkarni, a regular evening walker at the walking plaza opposite RTO, said fearing attacks of dogs after dark, the walkers prefer to go by late afternoon. “Around 25 dogs are on loose at the walker’s zone.”Experts say that dog population cannot be controlled without proper implementation of the central government’s animal birth control programme. However, the AMC’s only clinic for dog sterilisation is in a bad condition.After a gap of more than a year, the AMC had relaunched dog sterilisation at its clinic at Central Naka in April 2018. Pune-based NGO Blue Cross Society (BCS) was looped in to carry out the procedure, alongwith the civic staff. The NGO also assists in dog catching.A veterinarian doctor said the number of dogs as per the human population and area of the city is around 50,000. To keep the dog population in check, 50 should be sterilised a day. However, the poorly equipped dog clinic sterilises just 20 to 30 dogs a day.The clinic has two operation tables for sterilisation. On the visit to the facility, TOI team found out that the walls are moistened and plaster is falling off. The tiles are broken and the basins are old and rusted, making it unhygienic for animals and the medical team. There are hardly any facilities at the clinic as per the recommendations of the Animal Welfare Board.Arvind Chavan, livestock officer and an official of the canine rabies control unit, said the hospital needs two well-equipped operation theatres, water and food feeders at the dog pound, 50 kennels, drainage, kitchen for preparing dog feed, and restroom for staff. Ward engineer Shafiq Ahmed said Rs 28 lakh was sent to the accounts department for the required works 8 months ago. The KMC says it is short of funds to carry out the works.

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