Thane: With several cases of dog bites reported across Thane city, residents claim there are no officials to look after the stray dogs' rising population or sterilize them. It has come to light that the officials or staff from the veterinary department have been shifted to the health department of TMC due to the pandemic situation over the last more than a year.
On Saturday and Sunday last week a few incidents of dog bites held at raigad galli and panchpakhadi area of Thane. The locals contacted the veterinary department of the Thane Municipal corporation, but with no response then approached the local Bharatiya Janata Party corporator, Narayan Pawar. "After several complaints about dog bites started receiving from the locals, I complained to different departments of municipal authorities. During a conversation with an official from the veterinary department, I asked them to visit the spot and take some action. By catching a dog and starting sterilization. But in return, I received a weird response. He replied that they are short staff and couldn't reach the spot. He alleged that the total staff is shifted to the health department over the pandemic situation and are on covid duty," added Pawar.
Pawar further claims even if the staff was shifted for covid related work, the requirement of staff at the veterinary department is also important. "Sterilization of the stray dog is also important. The authorities know that during monsoon this stray dog attack people. So they should have taken precautionary measures earlier," added Pawar claiming more than 10 people were victims of dog bite last week.
However, senior officials from TMC claim the staff from the veterinary department had already reached the spot. "Even if the staff is on covid related work. They are also attending the call of dog bites and are taking action accordingly."
