(IN): We’ll end stray dog menace in 2 years: BMC

December 23, 2008

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After HC allows killing of 'nuisance dogs', BMC sets up monitoring committee

to ensure strays are not killed indiscriminately

*By Sudhir Suryawanshi*

*Posted On Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 02:32:23 AM*

The ambiguity over what is a 'nuisance' dog is over as far as the

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is concerned. But animal rights

activists say that though the Bombay High Court has permitted BMC to kill

'nuisance' dogs, the term is ambiguous.

The BMC said that dogs that bark continuously and create a disturbance will

be termed 'nuisance dogs'. So too will dogs that chase vehicles and

motorcycles, thereby posing a danger to drivers.

The BMC has now promised to end the nuisance of stray dogs within the next

two years. Dr Jairaj Thanekar, chief health executive, said that they have

set a two-year target to end the stray dog menace in the city. " After the HC

verdict, we have the legal right to define which are nuisance dogs and which

are not, " he said.

The BMC is asking citizens to tell them about dogs causing trouble in their

neighbourhoods and has announced telephone numbers where complaints can be

lodged. " All complaints registered will be forwarded to a monitoring

committee to decide whether the dog should be killed or not. We will not

kill strays indiscriminately, " said Dr G T Ambe, BMC's joint executive

health officer.

Last week, the HC permitted the killing of rabid and nuisance causing

strays. Ambe said that human lives are more important. " The HC decision will

enable us to kill nuisance dogs without opposition from animal activists. We

will activate all seven dog-catching vans. "

The BMC does not plan to kill strays by electrocution, but will put them to

sleep by injecting a dose of penthol sodium. " A euthanasia committee -

comprising three veterinary doctors from BMC, an NGO and Society for

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - will put such violent dogs to sleep, " Dr

Ambe added.

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