Latest News | Maha: Raigad District Sees 6,427 Dog Bite Cases in Six Months

Alibag, Jul 11 (PTI) As many as 6,427 dog bite cases have been reported in Maharashtra's Raigad district in the past six months, officials said on Tuesday.

The district saw 8,757 incidents of stray dogs attacking people in 2020. The number rose to 9,138 in 2021 and 10,625 last year, as per data shared by health officials.

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Stray dog bites can introduce dangerous bacteria into human bodies and can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections when left untreated.

In the first six months of this year, 6,427 people have been bitten by stray canines, they said, adding that those affected can avail of free treatment in government hospitals.

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Two-wheeler riders at night are often targeted by packs of stray dogs, they said. When chased by dogs, a biker can also fall and suffer injuries, an official said.

While sterilising stray dogs is an effective way to keep their population in check, civic authorities in the district are hurdles in this regard.

Since the canines are required to be kept at a safer place for at least a week after sterilization, the civic bodies do not have enough of such places, they added.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)