Surat: The city of Surat has woken up to a fresh wave of terror, this time not from humans, but from stray dogs. As many as 10 people fell victim to dog bites on Friday, sending chills down the spines of residents and raising serious questions about the effectiveness of dog control measures.
From infants to middle-aged individuals, no one was spared the wrath of these canines. Heartwrenching scenes unfolded at the Surat Civil Hospital, where frantic families rushed their injured loved ones for immediate medical attention and anti-rabies vaccinations. The queue stretched long, with anxious faces reflecting the fear gripping the city.
One such case was that of 14-year-old Ganesh Kahar, a Class 6 student bitten by a dog while on his way to a relative's house with his mother in the Pandesara area. The attack left deep wounds on his legs, leaving both mother and child traumatized.
"It happened so suddenly," Ganesh's mother recounted, tears welling up in her eyes. "We were just walking when the dog came out of nowhere and attacked him. It was terrifying."
Ganesh's story is not an isolated one. Every day, an average of 20-25 cases of dog bites are reported at the Civil Hospital, a grim testament to the failure of Surat Municipal Corporation's (SMC) efforts to curb the stray dog menace. Despite crores of rupees being pumped into sterilization and vaccination programs, the number of dog bite cases shows no signs of decreasing.
This rampant canine aggression has fueled public anger, with residents demanding immediate action from the authorities. "We are tired of living in fear," said a local resident. "Our children can't even play outside safely. The SMC needs to wake up and take concrete steps to address this issue before it's too late."
In response to the recent surge in cases, Civil Superintendent Dr. Ganesh Govekar acknowledged the problem, stating that 30 cases, including 10 new ones, had been reported. He also admitted that children playing in groups are particularly vulnerable to dog attacks. The hospital has implemented measures to address the situation, including setting up a dedicated section in the Trauma Center for dog bite cases.
However, these measures seem insufficient to assuage public concerns. Residents are demanding a more comprehensive strategy, including stricter enforcement of animal control laws, increased sterilization and vaccination drives, and responsible pet ownership practices.
The question remains: How long will the people of Surat have to endure this reign of terror by stray dogs? The onus is now on the SMC to take decisive action and restore a sense of safety and security to the city.
