Ludhiana, Sept. 5 -- The municipal corporation is relying on more than six-year-old data to plan its stray dog sterilisation drive even as dog bite cases in Ludhiana continue to rise, with the latest livestock census data yet to be authenticated and released by the Union animal husbandry department.

The 20th Livestock Census, conducted in 2019-20, recorded 29,998 stray dogs in Ludhiana district. The 21st census was conducted about 1.5 years ago, but its data is yet to be released as it is awaiting authentication by the Union animal husbandry department, officials said.

Municipal health officer Dr Vipan Malhotra said the animal husbandry department collected the animal population data.

Director of animal husbandry Paramdeep Singh Walia ...