Hyderabad: The stray dog menace continues despite a Supreme Court order to state governments to take care of the strays and the measures that GHMC follows to sterilize them.
Some 50 cases of dog bites have been reported in Telangana so far this year, as authorities struggle to find a balance between safety of humans and that of the dogs.
Abdul Wakil, assistant veterinarian of west zone, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), says, “We are following not only the Supreme Court’s orders but also the Animal welfare board, the state government and other animal control boards. The stray dog population under GHMC areas are recorded and we sterilise them. The operation is conducted by private doctors and the dogs are taken care of for a week before they are left in the open.”
Dogs are also given anti-rabies injections and treated for parasites. Wakil said that all laws, including GHMC laws, were in conformity with the central law that no dog must be harmed.
But Gokul Kamath, a dog bite victim, says, “Most dogs run away when they see the GHMC vehicle. Authorities should update their records of stray dogs. We cannot afford to have more cases. Strays can be a menace in packs or alone, especially to children as we see a lot of school children getting bitten. Stringent laws must be in place that ensures no stray is untreated. Stray dogs that are not under the GHMC areas should also be taken into account. ”
Stray dogs are listed by the GHMC department, but they often get complaints by residents over the phone and online. “People react to stray dogs badly, which tends to agitate them. Many residents ask their colonies to be dog-free, but having a sterilised dog is in fact a good idea. As dogs are territorial animals, they will not allow other stray dogs into the area. Sterilised dogs do not behave ferociously,” says Praveen Reddy, an animal lover.
An adoption programme for strays was started by GHMC in April, 2017. P. Venkateshwar Reddy, chief veterinary officer, GHMC, says, “We have given away 779 stray puppies and have got a good response from people. We urge citizens not to purchase expensive foreign breeds of puppies and to instead visit one of our centres to adopt a pup free of cost. The more stray dogs find homes, fewer will be on the streets.”
