After Bangalore, dog controversy rears head in Kolkata

March 12, 2007

>Recently, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, in an order circulated

>to all NGOs, has directed them to start using lassoes before the end

>of May. The new process has to be started by mid May. The order

>stated, in the prevalent circumstances, tongs could not be used to

>catch dogs in the city. Ironically, the overwhelming majority of

>dogs caught in the city are captured using tongs.

Tongs (or " graspers, " as they are called in the U.S.) are

normally used in animal capture only for handling fractious animals

after they are already confined or restrained. I've never heard of

them being used as a primary capture device before, & cannot imagine

them being very efficient.

The most widely used capture device is the " animal control

pole, " which consists of a hollow aluminum or bamboo pole containing

an adjustable noose of plastic-coated cable, of about the same gauge

as bicycle brake cable or clothes line cable. Animal control poles

are quite easily and inexpensively made, and if properly used, do

not harm the captured animal.

Improper use includes using the pole to lift the animal, and

using bare wire (which may cut a dog) instead of plastic-coated cable.

An animal control pole should normally be about the same

length as the height of the person using it. Extensions can be

attached for special operations, but most animal control workers

tell me that they go years between needing to use an extension.

--

Merritt Clifton

Editor, ANIMAL PEOPLE

P.O. Box 960

Clinton, WA 98236

Telephone: 360-579-2505

Fax: 360-579-2575

E-mail: anmlpepl

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