Street dogs were estimated to number 4 lakh in 2008
For every 100 humans, there is one stray dog. Also, the population of stray animals is directly proportional to the food available on the streets. (Photo: DC/File)
Hyderabad: There is no record of the growing stray dog and cat population in the Greater Hyderabad jurisdiction. In 2008, after 12 municipalities were merged with the erstwhile Municipal Corporation Hyderabad, the stray dog population was estimated at a little less than 4 lakh. However, there is no record of the actual number of street dogs today.
The GHMC too has not conducted a survey. Recently, the Animal Welfare Board conducted a census of livestock in all metropolitan cities. That report is yet to be submitted to the government. For every 100 humans, there is one stray dog. Also, the population of stray animals is directly proportional to the food available on the streets.
“I live in Prashanthnagar, Langar Houz. Around 25 stray dogs live in our area causing a lot of problems. I have night shifts, and when I return home at around 2 am, the dogs chase my cab and keep barking. I am often too scared to even step out of the cab. Even the cab drivers do not like to drop me home,” said Akhil Shetty, a corporate employee.
“There are many stray dogs in East Marredpally. At night, they fight and bark and it is impossible to sleep,” complains K.P. Rao.
Experts say that the availability of food causes stray animal population explosion. If the streets and colonies are kept garbage free, the stray animal population will drastically decline. Garbage removal should be done regularly and the GHMC should conduct inspections once a week to catch dogs for the ABC programme.
Meanwhile, the stray dog menace cannot be eliminated until the garbage issue is solved. One pair of breeding stray dogs can give birth to 2,000 puppies in their lifetime. And this depend on city garbage, said experts.
September-December is considered to be the breeding season of dogs. During this period, dogs turn very aggressive, as they are mating. Most bite cases are reported during this period. Around 83 per cent of the victims are children aged between 2 to 14 years.
Dr P. Venkateswara Reddy, the chief veterinary officer of the GHMC, said, “GHMC has set up five Animal Birth Control programme centres with 24 veterinary doctors and a team of 200 caretakers. Each designated centre has five vets. The GHMC regularly sends the dogs squad across circles and so far 305 street dogs have been caught. All of them were sterilized, dewormed and given anti-rabies vaccines before release. The rabid dogs are put to sleep under supervision.”
( Source : dc correspondent )
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