The Hindu:Hyderabad: Little headway in curbing stray dogs

[Guest guest]

Date:29/03/2007 URL:

http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/29/stories/2007032922180500.htm

--------

 

 

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

 

Little headway in curbing stray dogs

 

V. Geetanath

 

Apparently, the MCH authorities have not been following the steps

suggested to check the dog menace

 

 

 

 

 

 

HYDERABAD: Anyone would expect MCH to start taking stock of its ongoing

stray dogs' control programme, especially after the recent killing of two

children by the canines just a few weeks ago in Bangalore.

 

Though it claims to be doing so, the killing of six-month-old Ritikesh by

a group of stray dogs on Wednesday has jolted the authorities. Apparently, they

have not been following the steps suggested to check the dog menace.

 

If selective killings along with sterilisations through animal birth

control, anti-rabies vaccination, licensing, proper garbage removal and the

likes are considered effective means to control stray dogs, the corporation

makes claims of following all these.

 

But, there are some glaring inconsistencies. For instance, within its

limits it had caught 21,350 dogs but the sterilisations were done for an abysmal

1,166 dogs only between January and December 2006.

 

Sterilisation

 

 

Six years after it had cancelled the animal birth control programme

contract with Blue Cross with tall claims of doing the sterilisations and

vaccinations by itself with extra facilities at Chudibazar, the MCH has not been

keeping pace with the canines' growth.

 

Chief Veterinary Officer P. Venkateshwar Reddy feels his wing gets caught

between animal rights activists on one side and those demanding removal of stray

dogs on the other.

 

In certain areas, especially slums, stray dogs are reared by the locals

who prevent dog squads from catching them, he claims.

 

Though there is little regulation on licensing and breeding as it is

supposed to be, Dr. Reddy also blames neighbouring municipalities and Cantonment

Board for transporting their menace as canines from these areas replace virgin

territories!

 

Mercifully, the MCH has required infrastructure in place with five

vehicles for five dog squads and five more vehicles to join soon.

 

Dog-catching personnel too have been doubled to 60 very recently.

 

It is also planning to conduct awareness programmes in slums and different

areas to educate people about anti-rabies vaccine, to identify stray dogs for

sterilisations, segregating those dogs carrying diseases and distribute

pamphlets about licensing as also adoption methods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© Copyright 2000 - 2006 The Hindu