BENGALURU: A whopping 27,464 cases of dog bites have been reported this year at 110 BBMP urban health centres (UHCs) and referral hospitals and 450 private hospitals in the city. An average of 3,050 cases have been registered every month, as against 2,740 in 2017, when the total number stood at 32,883.The number of cases reported at UHCs and referral hospitals has been on the rise, up from 12,947 in 2016 to 25,881 in 2017. It touched 21,787 as of September this year. In the first two weeks of the month, the city was rocked by a series of dog attacks — an 11-year-old boy was mauled to death by strays and eight others were injured in three separate incidents.Collated by the BBMP’s public health information and epidemiological cell (PHIEC), the statistics include bites by pet dogs as well, though officials say a majority of the incidents involved strays.Admitting that he couldn’t say whether the number of cases had increased or decreased over the years, G Anand, deputy director, animal husbandry, said, “Those bitten by dogs in areas like Nelamangala, Kolar and Anekal often come to Bengaluru for treatment as their native places don’t have adequate health facilities. These cases get registered within BBMP limits, though the incidents took place elsewhere. This may have inflated the number.”Experts say that a weakening animal birth control programme — the number of surgeries performed dropped from 93,447 in 2011-12 to 35,266 in 2017-18 — could be a possible reason for the increase in dog bite cases. They also blame a deteriorating solid waste management system, proliferating black spots and unauthorised dumping of offal.Stating that most dogs, pet or stray, don’t attack unless instigated, Dr Shahid Vaseem, chief veterinarian, CUPA, said, “Most cases are reported from areas on the outskirts, which are usually inhabited by people from lower income groups and lack a proper sanitation or solid waste management system. In addition, BBMP’s regulations on setting up meat stalls are not being followed, and hence they’re coming up in densely populated areas too. Haphazard dupming of offal attracts dogs, leading to an increase in animal density.”In the first week of July, the Palike informed the high court that there were only 2,694 licensed meat shops and three authorised slaughterhouses in Bengaluru. Since the actual number of shops is much higher, the animal husbandry department started surveying unauthorised meat shops, but the process is yet to be completed.

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