Bhubaneswar: Stray dog bites have emerged as a significant concern in Odisha, with over 5 lakh cases reported in the last two years, as revealed by Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokula Nanda Mallik in the Legislative Assembly today.
The Minister also informed the House that more than 17 lakh stray dogs are roaming the streets across the state, posing a serious threat to public safety.
In 2023, approximately 2.60 lakh people fell victim to stray dog bites, and the current year has already recorded over 2.43 lakh such cases. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the issue.
To curb the growing stray dog population, the state government has launched sterilization initiatives. Thus far, 4,605 stray dogs have been sterilized across eight urban areas in Odisha.
Minister Mallik underscored the importance of public awareness and urged citizens to exercise caution when dealing with stray dogs. He called for increased vigilance and collaboration between municipal bodies and residents to mitigate the risks associated with stray animals.
The state government’s sterilization efforts are seen as a critical step in controlling the stray dog population and reducing bite cases. However, with millions of stray dogs still on the streets, sustained and expanded measures will be necessary to ensure public safety and animal welfare.