(IN): Chennai battles stray dog menace

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Link: http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070009132

 

Chennai battles stray dog menace

 

Sanjay Pinto

Wednesday, April 18, 2007 (Chennai)

Chennai's Animal Birth Control success story has ensured that almost

all the 60,000-odd stray dogs have been sterilized and vaccinated

against rabies.

 

A sterilized dog, experts say, seldom bites.

 

Once male dogs are sterilized, they become docile due to the fall in

testosterone. As for the females, a nursing mother is most likely to

bite, said Dr Chinny Krishna, Vice Chairman, Blue Cross.

 

Chennai has come a long way from its earlier dubious distinction of

killing stray dogs for 136 years.

 

In 1995, the year before the killing was stopped, 135 dogs were being

shot everyday.

 

Now in addition to surgical sterilization, the Tamil Nadu government

has introduced what it says is a simpler method - Cadmium Chloride

injections for male dogs.

 

It's a new strategy, simple and easy to practice and many dogs will be

covered, said Dr Padmanabhan, Director of Public Health.

 

In the city, such dogs are virtual community pets.

 

We've brought them up as puppies. We feed them regularly. We don't

have the heart to do anything to them, said Susan Ellens, Resident.

 

But as one travels out of Chennai and into its suburbs, it is

impossible to escape the fear factor among residents.

 

As a mother, I do feel scared to send my children out to play. After

what I've seen in Hyderabad and Bangalore, it is scary. These dogs are

not vaccinated, said Josephine Fernandez, Parent.

 

A dog that is vaccinated and sterilized has its ears notched; but none

of the dogs in the suburbs seem to be safe.

 

Consequently, the authorities are keen to put a leash on the menace

before it goes the Bangalore and Hyderabad way.