BICHOLIM: Sense of fear has gripped Bicholim residents rise in cases of stray dog bites in Bicholim Bazar, Borde Radhanagar, Shantaram Naik Nagar and nearby areas. Pack of canines chasing pedestrians and motorists has become an everyday sight. Many two-wheeler riders have been hurt after falling down from their vehicles, while being chased by these dogs.
“Dogs chased and bit one of the two-wheeler riders at Naik Nagar. The rider lost balance and fell, which caused more injuries to him. Such incidents are rising in the vicinity and there is an urgent need to rein in the stray dogs,” said one of the locals, Vijay Telang.
A pack of dogs is always wandering the market area which has scared the market goers. When contacted, the Bicholim Muncipal Council Chairperson said that the efforts are underway to resolve the issue. The local unions Naik Nagar Vikas Mandal and Sharada Nagar Vikas Mandal have written appeals to Bicholim municipality, asking the civic body to take immediate action. The pack of dogs also chases bicycle riders, who venture out in the morning as well evening.
It can be recalled that as per the data available with the Directorate of Health Services, there have been as many as 87,202 cases of dog bites reported in the last five years, an average of 48 cases per day.
