Jamshedpur: In response to the rising population of stray dogs and an increase in dog bite incidents, East Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Rajiv Ranjan has directed municipal bodies to construct dedicated animal shelters. He instructed officials to identify suitable locations and initiate the process of housing stray animals.
Directive Issued to Multiple Civic Bodies
The deputy commissioner stated, “Sheltering stray dogs and conducting sterilisation drives will help build a rabies-free society.” This directive applies to the Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC), Mango Municipal Corporation (MMC), Jugsalai Municipal Council (JMC), and the suburban Chakulia Nagar Panchayat (CNP).
Currently, JNAC operates a small animal shelter in Sidhgora. While MMC selected a site for a shelter in Baliguma along NH-33 in 2025, construction work has not yet commenced. In contrast, the Jugsalai and Chakulia civic bodies have not initiated any projects related to animal shelters.
Escalating Dog Bite Cases
Jamshedpur is currently witnessing a surge in dog bite incidents, with the stray dog population estimated between 28,000 and 30,000. Health department statistics reveal that more than 3,000 dog bite cases were recorded in April and May alone.
Civil Surgeon Dr. Sahir Pall assured that all hospitals, including community health centres (CHCs) and public health centres (PHCs), have been instructed to maintain adequate stocks of anti-rabies vaccine. He added, “The health department will supply extra stocks if shortages occur.”
Sterilisation Efforts Underway
Records indicate that 8,900 stray dogs were sterilised between 2023 and 2025. Tata Steel Utilities and Infrastructure Services Ltd (TSUISL), which handles urban sterilisation in its command area, sterilises 15 to 17 dogs daily before releasing them back into their original neighbourhoods. Meanwhile, JNAC authorities sterilise an average of 10 dogs per day.
Causes of Canine Aggression
Veterinarians have identified several factors contributing to the rise in canine aggression. Dr. Sagar Hansda, a veterinarian with JNAC, explained, “Intense heat makes stray dogs irritable and triggers aggressive tendencies.” He also noted that constant exposure to loud honking further heightens their distress, while a lack of food, clean water, and human compassion worsens the problem.
