JMM candidate from Ranchi Assembly seat Mahua Maji, who wants to start a project for treatment of diseased stray dogs, campaigns at Bahu Bazar on Sunday. (Hardeep Singh)

A dog lover knows every stray wags its tail if addressed kindly. But, rabies or scabies in the capital’s street dogs pose serious health risks, something that even Assembly candidates can’t ignore.

Potentially fatal, rabies is a viral disease transmitted to humans from infected animals, mostly dogs, through bites or scratches. Earliest symptoms are fever and tingling, which can progress to uncontrolled convulsions, fear of water, among others.

Canine scabies, also known as mange, is caused by parasite Sarcoptes scabiei. Microscopic mites can invade the skin of healthy dogs or puppies, causing drastic or total loss of fur and severe itching. According to a 2013, Ranchi has around 50,000 dogs and from an informal count, it appears 10 per cent suffer from scabies. Many pet owners fear strays would infect their prized dogs.

When asked, MLA aspirants across party lines showed compassion for the problems.

C.P. Singh, sitting MLA and BJP candidate from Ranchi Assembly constituency, said: “Now that an anti-rabies programme is going on in the city, an anti-scabies programme can also be planned. Let’s think positive.”

Hope and Animal Trust, an organisation dedicated to improve the lives of animals, especially street dogs, is currently running a project to vaccinate strays against rabies in association with Ranchi Municipal Corporation.

Singh’s arch-rival Mahua Maji, JMM candidate from Ranchi Assembly constituency, spoke on similar lines. “If pets can be treated and looked after, so can street dogs. Strays are untamed and uncared for, but they also guard our neighbourhoods. We can always plan and start projects for treatment of diseased dogs,” she said.

Naveen Jaiswal, JVM candidate from Hatia Assembly constituency, said: “Dogs are no problem. The problems may lie in their population and diseases and both can be controlled. Pet dogs are dependent on their masters and street dogs on locality people. We can’t think of just eliminating them. Let’s talk about eliminating their problems.”

Praveen Ohal, secretary of Hope and Animal Trust, said they were focussing on rabies right now, but added that in future they did need to take up projects to contain scabies or mange.

Confirming that treatment of scabies was as important as rabies, Kanke vet Prakash Kumar said: “Treatment of canine scabies is possible only in the initial stage. Dogs without fur and with wounds need to be eliminated as they are in great pain. Street dogs with scabies need to be isolated for diagnosis, vaccination, application and administration of ointments and medicines.”