Stray dogs in cleanest city Indore face food crisis

New Delhi: Indore, the country’s cleanest city, has been witnessing an unforeseen outcome of its quest to remain spotless, as around 2.5 lakh stray dogs in the city are facing a food crisis, which the experts believe is the reason for their aggression.
The local administration is preparing for its biggest-ever canine sterilisation campaign amid increasing incidents of attacks by stray dogs.
Officials on Tuesday said the administration has decided to run a six-month campaign to sterilise stray dogs in the city so that their numbers can be controlled.
Dr Uttam Yadav, the in-charge of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme at the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), said, “Generally 30 to 35 stray dogs are sterilised every day in the city. We have set a target to increase this number to 90. Human resources and other facilities are being increased.’
Yadav admitted that stray dogs in the city were becoming irritable and aggressive because of hunger.
He said, “A few years ago, garbage would be piled up at different places, and there were large garbage bins in the city. Stray dogs would rummage through them for food. But now, municipal vehicles collect waste from every house and establishment, and food is not easily available for strays.’
The official said stray dogs keep wandering into other areas in search of food, have violent conflicts with other dogs, and end up attacking humans.
He pointed out that the local administration had arranged for food for strays during the COVID-19 lockdown, but there is no such arrangement in the city now.
He said there are about 2.5 lakh stray dogs in the city.