Advancing civilizations or declining Humanity?
A recent article in the media reported that a ‘ county in south-western China has killed as many as 50,000 dogs in a government-ordered campaign following the deaths of three local people from rabies. This brutal policy, not only underscores deep weaknesses in China’s healthcare system (which is unable to find ` more humane methods to control rabies), but also highlights the extraordinarily crude, cold, blooded and lazy way for the government to deal with an epidemic disease. Wiping out the dogs shows that in the first place, these government officials didn’t dd’their jobs oT protecting people from rabies.’
With the government in India’, and Mumbai, in particular, demonstrating extraordinary haste in emulating anything that China does, this is one ,instance where we should strongly condemn this barbaric act of China. We should re-exam’ ine how we, as a society, are coping, understanding and evolving ways of dealing with similar problems in India.
o A CULTURE OF CO-EXISTENCE
From the very earliest civilizations in India, there has been a culture of co-existence of people with animals and nature often expressed not only as affection, but also as worship and reverence. And this thread-of coexistence is still largely intact today, with people feeding left-over food to stray dogs and other animals; feeding birds outside temples; and animal shelters (“panrapoles”) being run by social and religious organisations.
o CONFLICT AND MIS-MANAGEMENT IN CITIES
However, in the crowded cities, we are increasingly seeing situations of human-animal conflict, as seen in the recent outcry against pigeons in Mumbai and the frequent demands to control the stray dog population. Such situations are caused either due to the lack of a suitable policy to control the animals, or a lack of implementation of existing policies and rules. And more often, due to irresponsible behaviour by people themselves: such as littering and open dustbins throughout the city; and feeding of birds in non-designated areas. Instead of understanding and addressing such problems at the root, the government, however, usually adopts a knee-jerk reaction. This reaction is based on the most recent outcry caused by an adverse incident, in order to demonstrate that the authorities are taking some action; and also to hide their deficiencies in tackling the overall problem. Hence, it is extremely critical that we fully understand all aspects of the stray dogs issue in Mumbai, including the role that we, as citizens, have to play.
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated — Mahatma Gandhi
o UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS ABOUT DOG CONTROL AND STERILISATION ,
For the removal of stray dogs from their territories, there are specific laws, rules and guidelines set down by the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, by the Union government, and also a judgement on this subject in Writ Petition No1596 of 1998 by the Hon’ble Bombay High Court.
(For details on the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, see http://www.karmayog.com/dogs/dogcontrolrules.htm
For details on the Writ Petition No 1596 of o 1998 by the Hon’ble Bombay High Court, see http://www.karmayog.com/dogs/hcorder7988.htm) The Bombay High Court has laid down the guidelines for dealing with stray dogs and the methodology for their population control. Dogs cannot be labelled as nuisance and therefore, cannot be picked up from their territories and abandoned somewhere else. This is an unsustainable and short-sighted approach that transfers the problem from one location to another,
causing further problems, instead of providing should be completely understood with the par
any solution.
WHAT IS NEEDED TO BUILD A SUCCESS-FUL DOG CONTROL PROGRAMME?
To build a successful dog control programme, four major components are needed: Rabies Control, Dog Population Management, Habitat Control and Pet Registration.
Each of these components must be complete and functional programmes in themselves – capable of making significant contributions to an overall dog control programme. However; the true secret to success lies not in the individual strength, but in their combined
Dog control programme ” becomes possible to provide a viable, long-term solution to the provide a viable long-term solution to the rabies and dog, population problems.
.
” o NEED TO ACHIEVE A 70 PER CENT CRITICAL LEVEL –
In Dog Population Management, the concept
SOME OBSERVATION5 ON RA81ES CONTROL AND DOG POPUI:ATION MANAGEMENT:
1. successful dog population management requires mass sterilization
2. However, even if you ate able to sterilise every single dog, they can still transmit rabies if they are not vaccinated
3. Rabies prevention can only be effectively achieved through vaccination.
4. If you vaccinate the entire dog population, you can eventfully prevent rabies completely, but will never have affected the dog population issue at all.
and benefits of an area based Animal Birth Control programme may be easier to understand it we compare it to a “vaccination” against the disease of overpopulation. Scientifically, we know that ,over 70 per cent of the dog population, which includes any unsupervised or partially supervised dogs in any given demographicat area, must be starifised in order to stop the population increases. By sterifising over 70 per cent of art, area’s dog population, the birth rate will be affected sufficiently to bring about a population decrease within that area.
The 70 per cent concept is extremely insightful into success or failure as it relates to pet overpopulation, as well as rabies control. And it ‘
are working actively iri the areas of Rabies Control and Stray Dog Population Management. A list -of some of the NGOs working in Mumbai is attached: These NGOs undertake a wide variety of roles ‘that include providing animal ambulances; animal rights & cruelty including legal cause’s; education & awareness; first aid; hospitalisation; immunisation; pet & stray adoption; animal shelterf spay/neuter/sterilisation programme (abc = animal birth control); Panjrapoles (no-kill shelters for cattle); etc.
No: 1
10
i’f
12 ( -People Fa Animals, Fort infoOpfamumbai,org _]
13 ~ Save Our Strays. Andheri
14 Shree Jivdaya Pariwar Charflable Trust, _Shelter in Vapi Mumbai Oflice at Mas#d West
15
16
Name arid Locality
Ahimsa Hospital, Malad West, Mumbai 400 064
AIAWA =~ All India Animal Welfare Association; ‘ Mahalaxmi
Animal Lovers Association Society, Goregaon West , KarunaParivarTrust
6aheriaTr’ust, Mulund (W)
(6SPCA) Bombay Society For The Prevention
Of Cruelty To Animals CIo: Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Pelt Hospital for Animals, Parel
lDA- Animal Birth Control & Health Care Centre, Deonar
In Defence of Animals, Dadar
, Karuna for Animals in Distress, Andhery (W)’
PALS – Plants and Animal Lovers Society, Colaba
PAWS – Plant 8 Animals Welfare Society, Bhandup West
‘ PAWS (Plant and Animal Welfare Sociely) Danbivll (East)
SPAN — Society for the Protection of Animals
and Nature, Mira Road (East).
Thane SPCA
T
WHAT YOU CAN D0; he following table lists some 0f the
!0 and around Murnbai. Fin the one closest to
where you stay or
you!” Se support
ugh donations Cash or kind.
Contact Details: 0#:28802682;28821972 Fax -.288219721 Hospital: 26802682
Dr Gopal Rayate (Veterinary) Dr Kamlakar Patil) Officers . President Praful Shah
2309 4077 aiawaindiaQhotmail.com
287G,’a&56 alas1313@yahoo co.in Telefax : 28761313
Off Mble -9820319842 _
2567ae3a / 25654949 smit @bahena org Fax :25690202
24137518124135285 bombayspca@vsnl.net Fax :24131007
65212681
0:’22870616 (Fort) – samoo@bom5.vsnl.net.in
26701413126709090 Faz :26250291
info s karunaforanimals org Emergency number for ambulance: 9819100100
22832955 silloo6wsnl com
WHAT TO DO IF YOU COME ACROSS AN UNFRIENDLY DOG?
here- is no simple answer, nor set formula to solve the problem T of unfriendly dogs, However, most dogs tend to conform to predictable rules of behaviour. This information is designed to help people to understand a dog’s behaviour towards strangers when it feels the need to protect its owner or territory or when it feels threatened. When you are faced with a difficult situation; this knowledge could help you to avoid trouk~.. ‘
Never run past a strange dog, or walk quickly away from it. This may make it chase you and you could get bitten as a result. Always walk or back away slowly, facing the dog as you do so – – until you are sure you are safe.
Try not to show fear. Keep calm walk away slowly and speak firmly to the dog.
Do not stare at the dog. Staring is a threat – a dog may read it as a challenge – and attack.
Do not allow children to approach dogs they do not know. A growl is as good as “Leave me alone”.
Dogs can tell if you like them — and most can be bribed! A biscuit in your pocket will convince most dogs that you are a friend. Please remember that dogs rarely attack, so don’t be over-anxious of every dog that you meet: Most are scared about getting into a fight but like to act tough on their own territory Behave in a friendly and confident manner and you wilf help lessen theirfear. ,
Dog related services by BMC 1) for citizens in distress: ‘
Register your complaint online at www.ocms.pfga.org
The MCGM online management complaint sysom (OCMS) has a code MSC02 for Nuisance by stray dogs, monkeys, etc.
Or call the civic helpline (for emergency complaints) at 1916 2) For stray dogs in distress:
Call the existing 4 city-wide BMC dog-licensing departments (details in
Table 2) ‘
Or call the civic helpline (for emergency complaints) at 1916
Call the animal welfare organisation closest to you, that offers rescue ! aid services. (Details in Table 1)
3) Dog licensing establishment:
Nowadays, in order to abate nuisances caused by stray dogs and to control the spread of diseases such as rabies; stray dogs are caught by dogs licensing establishments. Then, they are immunie8d and sterilised by Animal Welfare NGOs, and released back in the area where they were caught after an identification mark is put on the dog. The address and telephone nos of the BMC dog licensing units are:”,
TABLE 2
ZONE ADDRESS PERSO~TELEPHONE
City Dog Licensing Est. Dog Cghlrbler
Dr. E. Moses Road, Sr. Sank9ry tnspecta
Mahalaxmi C’ UttdOHide 23065118
Western Suburb ‘
H&K Wards Dog Licensing Est. Sr. Sanitary Inspector 26422672
Behind Gurunanak Displ.
Station Road , Sandra X
Western Subs P&R Wards Dog Licensing Est,Sc Sanitary lhspedta 28808206. .
Ramchandra Lane Exfn.,
Ka u da, Malad W .
Eastern Suburbs Dog Licensing, Esf. Sr. Salary Inspector 25M1 61
N Ward Office Bldg, Ext 262:
Jawahar Road,
Ghatkapar ”