Pune Municipal Corporation to Bear Costs of Treatment in Stray Dog Bite Cases, Provide Financial Aid for Fatal Incidents Due to Civic Negligence

Pune, 21st December 2024: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will now cover medical expenses for individuals injured in stray dog attacks, as well as provide financial assistance to families of those who lose their lives due to mishaps caused by municipal negligence, such as falling trees or open pits. Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale has directed the Health Department to submit a proposal to the Standing Committee to implement these measures.

The decision follows a recent incident where a five-year-old boy was severely injured in a stray dog attack in Katraj and is currently undergoing treatment in the ICU at a private hospital. This issue was raised during the Standing Committee meeting on Friday, prompting the Commissioner to issue orders for immediate action.

Alarming Rise in Dog Attack Cases

Over the past two months, Pune has witnessed three severe cases of stray dog attacks. In Dattawadi, an elderly woman was attacked after dogs entered her home. A few days later, a three-year-old girl became a victim of another attack. The latest incident on Thursday night involved the five-year-old boy in Katraj, which has drawn public and administrative attention to the issue.

Comprehensive Measures to Be Taken

To address such incidents, the PMC has proposed free medical treatment for victims in panel hospitals under the Urban Poor Scheme. Additionally, in cases of municipal negligence—such as injuries caused by falling trees, open pits, or other lapses in civic responsibilities—the municipal corporation will bear the treatment costs. In cases where the victim succumbs to the injuries, financial assistance will be provided to their family.

Budgetary Provisions for Assistance

The municipal corporation’s current budget does not allocate specific funds for accident victims, which has delayed providing timely assistance. To resolve this, Dr. Bhosale has instructed the concerned departments to create a dedicated budgetary provision in the 2025-26 financial year budget. This will ensure immediate assistance is available for victims of such incidents in the future.