Dogs will respond the way humans treat them…..Rajeev D Pai
BMC report says there have been numerous cases of dog bites in Mumbai. DNA finds out how we can solve the problem and whos at fault man or animal.
Every year, the BMC releases its annual dog-bite stats and we go through this rigmarole of lamenting the rising stray dog population in the city.
Until a few years ago, the BMC and some anti-nature people used to claim that there were anywhere from two lakh to six lakh stray dogs in the city. Worse, they would insist that there was no way of combating the problem than to capture and kill them.
A BMC-sponsored survey three years ago ended that debate when it came up with the (rather unbelievable, even for animal activists) figure of 70,000 stray dogs within the city. Since then, the debate on the stray-dog population has been rather more civilised.
Yet, animal rights activists need to take the rise in number of dog-bite cases seriously and investigate it. If, as one expert says elsewhere on this page, this is because the anti-rabies vaccine is not readily available in areas outside Mumbai, forcing animal-bite victims to come to the city, the state governments public health department must be forced to act upon this issue.
There will be those who will always want to sanitise their surroundings of any traces of nature, removing all animals and even trees, but for most sane people, the presence of stray dogs on the streets need not be a problem if their numbers are kept in check.
The odd attack will take place they are animals, after all and can be dealt with by identifying the troublesome animal and taking it away to a shelter or putting it down, depending on the case. Most times, even a wild animal will not attack unless it perceives a threat or sees the victim as prey.
We, the educated middle and upper classes in the cities, must also understand that these animals serve a purpose. Many of them are looked after by the poor living in slums and on pavements or by lonely people. They are also befriended and fed by the sorry specimen we employ as security guards, working 12 hours a day, 365 days a year, for amounts as ridiculous as Rs4,000 a month. These animals give them some companionship and a sense of security. In most suburban housing colonies, it is commonplace to find the watchmen snoring while the dogs jump up and raise a racket if a stranger enters.
Unlike home dogs, which may be fierce, most strays are friendly, if only one is willing to make friends with them. If not, leave them alone and they will usually do the same with you.
There is lack of infrastructure
For the many dog bite cases, only 40% are from Mumbai and the rest are from places like Navi Mumbai and Thane. As municipal-run hospitals are free, many prefer to get treated there. The BMC is running a sterilisation and vaccination campaign for years now. For such projects, the BMC has only six centres so there is lack of infrastructure which leads to delay in completion of the target. Many NGOs support this mission but they too lack funds. The civic body has provided NGOs with space and funds for spreading awareness about rabies and other related issues. We all know that if stray dogs are sterilised, its population can be controlled.
Lt Col JC Khanna, secretary, Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Its a matter of co-existence
Animals are territorial by nature and when another animal or human enters their spaces, they are bound to retaliate. In most cases, the provocation is from humans. One must understand that its a question of existence between man and animal, which is smaller and weaker than humans.
Cruelty towards animals is the worst human trait. If attacked, even a domesticated animal will react with anger. But we dont highlight such cases and attack the poor homeless creatures. The only way to have a peaceful co-existence is give each other the space and respect they deserve.
Also, people need to follow basic civic sense. If food is scattered and easily available on the roads, dogs will make it their territory and breed in the area. Societies should inform NGOs and the civic body and try to sterilise dogs in their area.
Dr Umesh Karkare, veterinarian
Dr Umesh Karkare, veterinarian
People should adopt stray dogs
In the past few years, due to awareness campaigns in communities and schools, the number of rabies cases have decreased. Even the numbers of deaths have come down. There is another way to solve the problem of stray dogs in the city. People need to open their homes and adopt them. There is nothing wrong in adopting a stray pup because they are as loyal and cute as any other foreign breed. Also, they are more adjustable. We give homes to many abandoned pets and also try to find good homes for strays. We have a unique adoption programme which comprises strict screening procedure, behaviour and temperament testing of dogs prior to adoption, behaviour counselling post-adoption and construction of new kennels at our sterilisation centre.
Abodh Aras, CEO, Welfare of Stray Dogs
Abodh Aras, CEO, Welfare of Stray Dogs
Dog is indeed a mans best friend
I believe in the saying dog is a mans best friend and for our society they have proved to be. Few months back, some robbers tried to steal the electricity board of our society, but the stray dogs in our area scared them away. People must understand that the way we treat them, theyll react in a similar manner. For instance, if one throws a stone or hits a dog, the dog is bound to attack. If looked after and given proper vaccination, they will not be a threat to anyone. One cannot say that they are a menace to society because they are Gods creations too.
Dayle Stanton, Marine Lines
Dayle Stanton, Marine Lines
My sister was bitten by one
Even though I love pet dogs, Im apprehensive about stray dog as it is difficult to predict their behaviour. The incident which led me to almost hate them was when a stray dog on my street bit my younger sister, last week. Due to this, she had to miss her examinations. My sister is not the only case, but the dog has been biting people randomly in my locality. My father even complained to the municipal corporation, but there was no positive response from their side. They declined and said they have already sterilised and vaccinated the dogs in the area.
Vrushali Joshi, Dombivli
Vrushali Joshi, Dombivli
Sterilisation drive is not a success
In my locality, we dont face any problem related to stray dogs. Many people from my building even feed the dogs, and they recognise us and behave like our pets. However, whenever, guests come to our building, they bark and sometimes even bite them. This has led to problems and many in the vicinity object to us feeding the dogs. Another problem we face is that during the night, they bark a lot and we cannot leave our windows open. There is no denial about the fact that there has been an increase in the number of dogs in the city. The sterilisation drive has not been successful.
Rajashree Salvi, Sion
Rajashree Salvi, Sion
Live and let live, dogs need love too
I have not faced any problems; dogs living in my area are friendly and someone or other from the locality feeds and takes care of them regularly. I think the problem is not with dogs, it is with our careless attitude towards everything around us. We instigate them so much that they are bound to attack. Dogs biting humans is a one-off case as most of them are very docile and dont attack unless provoked. Live and let live is the best option, and if once in a while we feed dogs around us and take care of them, it would be a better solution. The population of stray dogs should be under control.
Atul Sharma, Chembur
Atul Sharma, Chembur