The State-run Balrampur hospital in Lucknow has decided to take the help of a private agency to catch dogs loitering in its campus to prevent Sitapur-like situation where several children have been mauled by feral hounds.

"We have sought permission from the authorities to float a tender to hire a private agency for the purpose," Director of Balrampur hospital Dr Rajiv Lochan told PTI here. He said several dogs were noticed in the hospital premises and even in and around the wing where dog bite cases are treated. Earlier, when there was monkey menace in the hospital compound, a private agency was hired to drive away the simians with the help of a 'langur', Lochan said.

He said that patients and their attendants keep complaining about the dogs and the fear the animals have generated in the wake of Sitapur incidents. As many as 13 children have been fatally attacked by feral hounds in Sitapur district in the last six months. Some 22 villages of Khairabad block the district are affected by dog menace.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had visited Sitapur district last week and met family members of the children who had come under attacks from feral dogs. He had also visited the district hospital to visit two injured children and had stressed on the need to launch a drive against the dogs which have turned violent.

Taking cognisance of the repeated incidence of such attacks in Sitapur, the Allahabad High Court has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to spell out the steps being taken to curb the menace of feral dogs. It was felt that the problem may not be limited to Sitapur, but may exist in other parts of the state as well, the court has observed.