Jeypore civic body starts anti-rabies vaccine drive for stray dogs
Koraput: The Jeypore Municipality on Monday launched a mass anti-rabies vaccination drive for the town’s stray dog population.
On the first day, a joint team comprising municipal officials, forest and veterinary personnel vaccinated around 30 stray dogs. The drive began at 6 am and continued until 9 am, covering key areas where stray dogs are found in larger numbers.
“As there has been a steady increase in the number of stray dogs in the town and people are facing problems, the vaccination drive has been launched based on govt guidelines. It will continue until all stray dogs are vaccinated,” said Krutibas Sahoo, additional executive officer, Jeypore Municipality.
Sahoo emphasised that vaccination is crucial, as it significantly reduces the risk of rabies transmission to humans in case of dog bite.
The drive comes amid growing concern over public safety, as stray dogs often form aggressive packs, creating problems for pedestrians, particularly children and the elderly.
According to data from the district surveillance unit, stray dogs were responsible for 6,645 dog bite cases and two suspected rabies-related deaths in Koraput between Jan and Nov 2024. In comparison, 4,933 dog bite cases were recorded in 2023, indicating a significant surge.
A six-year-old girl, who was mauled by a pack of stray dogs recently, brought the issue into sharp focus and triggered public outcry.
“A significant rise in stray dogs has been noticed in urban areas. The threat of dog bites, which could lead to health risks such as rabies — a disease with a 100% mortality rate if untreated — is a constant worry,” said Muktikanta Khatua, additional chief district medical and public health officer.
The vaccination initiative has been welcomed by the locals.
“It’s really scary to go for morning and evening walks or ride a bicycle or motorcycle late at night. Stray dogs are moving everywhere in groups, and you never know when they might attack. Vaccinating them is a good move, and the authorities should ensure that every stray dog is covered,” said Monaj Panda, a resident of Jeypore.
Though no official data is available, authorities estimate that Jeypore is home to around 3,000 stray dogs.
On the first day, a joint team comprising municipal officials, forest and veterinary personnel vaccinated around 30 stray dogs. The drive began at 6 am and continued until 9 am, covering key areas where stray dogs are found in larger numbers.
“As there has been a steady increase in the number of stray dogs in the town and people are facing problems, the vaccination drive has been launched based on govt guidelines. It will continue until all stray dogs are vaccinated,” said Krutibas Sahoo, additional executive officer, Jeypore Municipality.
Sahoo emphasised that vaccination is crucial, as it significantly reduces the risk of rabies transmission to humans in case of dog bite.
The drive comes amid growing concern over public safety, as stray dogs often form aggressive packs, creating problems for pedestrians, particularly children and the elderly.
According to data from the district surveillance unit, stray dogs were responsible for 6,645 dog bite cases and two suspected rabies-related deaths in Koraput between Jan and Nov 2024. In comparison, 4,933 dog bite cases were recorded in 2023, indicating a significant surge.
A six-year-old girl, who was mauled by a pack of stray dogs recently, brought the issue into sharp focus and triggered public outcry.
“A significant rise in stray dogs has been noticed in urban areas. The threat of dog bites, which could lead to health risks such as rabies — a disease with a 100% mortality rate if untreated — is a constant worry,” said Muktikanta Khatua, additional chief district medical and public health officer.
The vaccination initiative has been welcomed by the locals.
“It’s really scary to go for morning and evening walks or ride a bicycle or motorcycle late at night. Stray dogs are moving everywhere in groups, and you never know when they might attack. Vaccinating them is a good move, and the authorities should ensure that every stray dog is covered,” said Monaj Panda, a resident of Jeypore.
Though no official data is available, authorities estimate that Jeypore is home to around 3,000 stray dogs.
