Bhubaneswar, Dec 4: In the past two years, over five lakh people have been bitten by stray dogs in Odisha, according to Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokula Nanda Mallik. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, the Minister also disclosed that more than 17 lakh stray dogs are roaming the streets of Odisha, posing a serious threat to public safety.

The Minister described the situation as alarming, calling for urgent intervention to control the stray dog population and reduce incidents of dog bites. As part of the government’s efforts, a sterilization program for stray dogs has been initiated. So far, 4,605 stray dogs have been sterilized in eight urban areas of the state.

This year alone, 2.43 lakh cases of dog bites have been reported, while the previous year recorded 2.60 lakh cases. The Minister urged the public to exercise caution around stray dogs and emphasized the importance of public awareness campaigns to mitigate risks and improve coexistence with stray animals.

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