The Times of India               07.12.2013

Night rounds to catch stray dogs may start soon

PUNE: The civic administration may consider proposals to start night rounds to catch stray dogs, following demands of residents and elected members.

The Pune Municipal Corporation has a team of 8 dog catchers that goes on rounds every day between 5am and 11am. Nearly 20 dogs are caught every day.

"Many residents in our areas have been suffering due to dog bites and say the dog menace increases during the night," said Yogesh Tilekar, a corporator from Satara Road area. Tilekar said he has submitted a proposal to start night rounds to the civic administration. The health department will take a call on the proposal.

Wanowrie residents said there have been many accidents in the area due to the dog menace in the nights. "The dogs attack the commuters and people out of their homes for work," a resident said.

Majority of the dog menace complaints have come from Satara Road, Kothrud, Kondhawa and Wanowrie, PMC officials said. "The health department has given directives to the NGOs in this regard and they will, along with the civic staff, look into the demand and start night rounds accordingly," said Anjali Sabane, deputy medical officer for health, PMC.

Sabane said the department has been sending dog-catching vehicles even during nights if there is an emergency.

Recently, such vans were sent to Prabhat Road during night time, Sabane added. She added more an additional 24 dog cages will be added to the pound next to Naidu Hospital soon. The pound has 66 dog cages.

Officials said the construction of the cages was almost complete and the work will be over by the end of December or even before that.