At least 32 people were admitted to IGM Sub-District Hospital in Kamatghar, Bhiwandi, within a few hours on Sunday, September 6, after suffering dog-bite injuries, sparking fresh concerns over the city’s stray dog population and the pace of its sterilisation programme.
Two children were among those admitted and were shifted to the paediatric ward. Hospital officials said both children had suffered Category III dog bites and were admitted for treatment.
Dr Madhavi Pedhare of IGM Sub-District Hospital confirmed the children’s admission. While local reports claimed that a single dog had attacked all 32 people, officials could not independently confirm whether the victims were attacked by the same animal.
The incident comes as Bhiwandi continues to report a significant number of dog-bite cases. According to civic data, 3,292 dog-bite cases were recorded between April and July. April accounted for the highest number with 1,087 cases, followed by 907 in May, 656 in June and 642 in July.
The Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation (BNMC) estimates that the city has more than 24,000 stray dogs. Around 7,000 to 8,000 dogs have reportedly been sterilised and vaccinated so far.
The civic body restarted its Animal Birth Control (ABC) centre on November 11, 2024, after the facility remained shut for nearly 12 years. The sterilisation programme has been entrusted to Vets Society for Animal Welfare and Rural Development. The corporation spends approximately Rs 1,440 per dog on sterilisation.
However, with thousands of stray dogs yet to be covered, questions have been raised about whether the existing capacity is sufficient to meet the city's requirements.
Animal lover Dipti Deshmukh has alleged that some dogs are released onto the streets before their surgical wounds have completely healed. She also raised concerns over food, medical treatment and post-operative care at the sterilisation centre.
Deshmukh further alleged that some dogs had died after sterilisation and that animals picked up from one locality were sometimes released elsewhere. The allegations could not be independently verified.
BNMC Health Department Assistant Commissioner Faisal Tatli said dogs undergoing sterilisation are kept under observation and generally released after about a week. He said the animals are returned to the same location from where they were picked up.
The issue has also become a major concern in Mumbai. The BMC recorded 1,54,017 dog-bite cases in 2025, while a 2024 survey estimated the city's stray dog population at 90,757.
The BMC has sterilised around 37,000 dogs over an 18-month period and is planning shelters at several locations. Officials are also exploring land outside Mumbai amid opposition from residents at some proposed sites.
The Kamatghar incident has once again highlighted the need for faster implementation of the ABC programme, better post-operative care and effective measures to protect residents from dog attacks while ensuring humane treatment of stray animals.
Share
Tweet
