Residents reel under stray dog menace

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 2

Notwithstanding claims by the Municipal Corporation of starting an effective Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme in the district, the stray dog menace is taking elephantine proportions here. With an average of 30 strays being reported at the People For Animals shelter in Jalandhar every month, majority of the areas contend with a serious stray dog menace. While there were several incidents of children or adults bitten or mauled by stray dogs in Jalandhar last year, residents of many localities have reported being terrorised by bands of stray dogs during the winter nights.

Areas like Maqsoodan, Krishan Nagar, Nijatam Nagar, Basti areas, Cool Road, among many other residential localities face the problem. While a let up in numbers was expected after the beginning of the dog sterilistaion project under the Animal Birth Control Programme last year, the residents, however, report a surge in the stray population.

RK Talwar, retired engineer and a resident of Krishan Nagar here said, “We have taken up the issue several times with the area councillor and the MC personnel deputed for the area but there is nothing beyond assurances. The number of strays is so dramatic that we can’t let children out nor can go out ourselves without a vehicle at night. Dogs litter the roads, spread garbage, chase two wheelers and pedestrians. There have been incidents of several dogs attacking a person too. Despite people being cautious there have been several accidents. Complaints to MC personnel haven’t led to relief.”

Prof Rohit Chatrath, a resident of Nijatam Nagar in Jalandhar said, “Not only my own area but the Basti areas that I travel by and neighbouring areas are also full of strays which make travelling across the city in the evening an ordeal. Dogs literally stalk and chase vehicles at times pulling on garments. We don’t let children play outside since it is not safe with the dogs. They also litter a lot. If we leave the gate ajar for an hour, we are welcomed by dog poop.”

Chander Bhushan from People For Animals, Jalandhar, said, “An average of one to two stray dogs is being brought into the shelter from various areas every day. On an average 30 are brought in every month. A lot of dogs brought in have also died of dehydration, injuries and cold. The population of stray dogs is indeed substantial and the effects of the ABC programme will only kick in with time. The rising numbers and resultant hostility for dogs have also resulted in increased injuries and the chill has added to increased death of dogs.”

The Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, say that every district has to look after the population control and sterilisation of stray dogs. The Rural Development and Panchayats and Local Bodies departments also have to establish a sufficient number of dog pounds, including kennels/shelters, to keep the captured animals, and get survey of stray dogs conducted regularly.

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Mayor Jagdish Raja said, “Success has been achieved in the dog-sterilisation project in the first year and we are continuing with the programme smoothly. If dog pounds are permitted under the project, we are also ready to invest in the same. There is a little problem with strays but the MC does not have any solution to the problem except the ongoing sterilisation programme. Since we cannot hurt dogs and there is no facility where they can be kept for several days either.”