'Kali Basanti' dogs under control

On Friday, a team including Mitralal Sapkota, head of the animal development branch of the municipality, arrived and took the dog under control. On Friday, the dog bit an 8-year-old boy and seriously injured him. The child was taken to Gandaki Hospital for immediate treatment after removing the flesh and cracking the bones in the arm.

The dog that was taken under control has been kept under security by Baglung Municipality. Dozens of such incidents have increased the fear of dogs in Baglung market. Every month, dog-bitten patients reach the hospital in different villages. Sapkota, the head of animal development branch, said that the municipality has prepared to identify and control the dog.

Baglung Municipality has started the 'Dog Shelter House Construction Project' after such problems have been occurring since last year. Mayor Basant Kumar Shrestha said that the initial use of the project is expected by the end of August. After purchasing land in Banpa 3, the municipality has immediately created 3 trusts to keep 50 dogs. There are preparations to put a fence in that place.

The city will also take care of feeding the dogs under protection. "Many people throw stones at biting dogs, which makes them angry and attack people," said Sapkota, "There is also a danger of attacks on humans from dogs that are at risk." The municipality has allocated a budget for dog shelters in the current year's budget as well.

Some time ago, a motorcyclist also died in an accident after being chased by a dog. People who go out for a walk in the morning and evening are also at risk from dogs. As part of the new promotion program, the municipality is going to build a shelter at a cost of 1 crore in partnership with the Chief Minister's Office. It has been agreed that the municipality will spend 35 lakhs and the Chief Minister's office will spend 65 lakhs.

Mayor Basant Kumar Shrestha said that if community dogs called Bhusyaha dogs are not managed, the risk will increase. According to Shrestha, the hostel had to be operated to control the risk of stray dogs on the streets and diseases such as rabies. The municipality has also given vaccination against rabies to domestic and street dogs. All the necessary medicines for the dogs are also provided free of charge.

The municipality has also made a provision that dogs kept at home must be registered. A fee of Rs 200 has to be paid at the time of registration. The city will provide free vaccinations and medication to registered dogs. In case of death, the municipality will also manage the body. The system of identifying vaccinated dogs by wearing a red band if they are kept at home and a blue band if they are in the community has started.