Pune, 15th July 2023: Official data from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) reveals a significant decrease in the population of stray dogs in the city over the past five years. However, this decline does not appear to be reflective of the reported incidents of dog bites, which continue to rise each year.
According to PMC officials, the estimated population of stray dogs in 2018 was 315,000. However, as of 2023, this number has decreased to 179,940, indicating a decline of 42.87% over the five-year period. Despite the reduction in the stray dog population, the number of dog bite cases reported in the city continues to increase.
The Pune Municipal Corporation has witnessed a steady rise in dog bite incidents in recent years. In 2022, the PMC recorded the highest number of dog bite cases, reaching a total of 16,569. This upward trend has persisted in 2023, with the civic body already registering 7,484 dog bite cases until May this year. On average, the PMC records approximately 1,500 dog bite cases each month in 2023.
The reasons behind the rising number of dog bite incidents despite the decline in the stray dog population are multifaceted. Factors such as increased urbanization, improper waste management, and a lack of awareness regarding responsible pet ownership and dog behavior contribute to this ongoing issue.
To address this problem, the PMC and other concerned authorities need to focus on implementing comprehensive measures. These measures may include increased awareness campaigns on responsible pet ownership, promoting sterilization programs, and enforcing stricter regulations on waste management to reduce the availability of food sources for stray dogs.
