Dehradun: Residents living near the nagar nigam’s Animal Birth Control (ABC) center in Kedarpuram are facing difficulties due to stray dog sterilization drive.

They have accused the stray catching staff of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) of leaving dogs post-surgery in their area, instead of taking neutered canines back to the region they were brought from.

Residents believe that the number of dogs has considerably increased since the establishment of dog shelter in Kedarpuram, encouraging incidents of dog attacks. Geeta Bansal, a resident of Kedarpuram, told TOI, “The stray dogs belonging to our area don’t frighten us but the canines from outsider do. The grown-up sterilized dogs left here, get engaged in conflicts with the ones already staying her, thus giving rise to dog attacks, and dog-bite cases on a daily basis. I am fed up with the continuous barking and dog fights.”

She added that it is very scary to step out alone as the dogs feel threatened and attack anytime.

Rajesh Bansal, who owns a shop on MDDA road, said, “We don’t step out of our house after 9pm since dogs keep quarreling and barking. If the civic administration doesn’t take any action, the stray dogs’ strength will soon beat our own population. Also, every day a dog bite case is being reported.”

Vidhi Joshi, a college student, said, “I am scared to walk till the bus station alone. The dogs in my colony keep attacking us.”

Dr V Sati, nigam’s senior veterinary officer, told TOI, “The organisation is cautious about its work. From catching street dogs for surgery to post-operative care which includes providing proper diet and maintaining hygiene and cleanliness, the organisation is doing everything. We also maintain a database so that residents don’t suffer due to dislocation of the dogs.”

He added that if the residents are facing problems, the corporation will look into the issue and come up with a solution soon.

