Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Street dogs have emerged as the biggest concern for city residents, with every third complaint to the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor’s Helpline related to dog-related issues.
Between July 1 and August 5, a total of 4,078 complaints were registered, of which 2,951 have been resolved, while 1,127 remain pending. Notably, 1,335 complaints-over 32%-were about street dogs, making it the most reported issue.
Mayor Malti Rai has taken a direct interest in the matter. She has personally called complainants for feedback and directed that updates on unresolved cases be included in weekly review meetings.
Other common complaints on the helpline include 363 about street lights, 263 smart light issues, 112 civil complaints, 90 sewage blockages, 85 building permission queries, 84 related to water supply, 80 concerning public health, 51 encroachment cases and 7 regarding stray cattle.
2-year-old mauled in Kolar Hills
A 2-year-old child was critically injured a few days ago after being attacked by a stray dog in Signature City, Kolar Hills. The child was rushed to the hospital in serious condition.
Local residents, who have repeatedly protested about the stray dog menace, say officials have failed to act despite multiple complaints.
Mayor’s 24-hour deadline
Mayor Malti Rai visited the helpline call centre on Tuesday to review operations. She issued strict instructions to ensure all street dog-related complaints are resolved within 24 hours, highlighting the urgency of the issue.
More ABC centres needed: BMC vet
Dr. D.P. Singh, who heads BMC’s Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres, said long-term resolution of rising street dog complaints requires more ABC facilities.“We are still waiting for central government funding to begin this project,” said Dr. Singh.
