India, May 25 -- Alarmed by a sharp rise in dog-bite incidents across the Vasai-Virar region, the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) has announced a series of measures to tackle the growing stray dog menace, including fast-tracking sterilisation drives with the help of private organisations and constructing a dedicated shelter facility for sterilised animals.

According to civic officials, the city currently has an estimated 100,000 stray dogs, but only 30,000 have been sterilised so far. Between January and April this year alone, the civic body received complaints of nearly 15,000 dog-bite cases, triggering growing concern among residents and political leaders alike.

The issue gained urgency following the recent death of a n...