New Delhi: The Noida Authority held a meeting on stray dog management this week, days after the Supreme Court modified its contentious 11 August order and said community dogs are to be sterilised, vaccinated, and returned to their original territories.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria had clarified that while the earlier direction on rounding up of Delhi-NCR stray dogs to be put in shelters remains in abeyance, stray dogs showing signs of aggression or those infected with rabies will not be returned to the streets.
In light of the modified order, the Noida Authority has outlined a few measures that include a citywide survey of stray dogs, setting up of shelters for aggressive dogs and those showing signs of rabies, as well as expanding sterilisation and vaccination efforts.
All Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and Apartment Owners’ Associations (AOAs) are to be notified to share details of unsterilised dogs in their societies/sectors in the form of reports that include photographs.
In a press release, the Noida Authority has highlighted that sterilised stray dogs can be identified by a V-shaped notch on their ear.
The V-shaped notch is a standard identification practice across India that helps surveyors and authorities easily recognise sterilised dogs and avoid duplicating surgeries.
The Authority has also announced that two dedicated shelters will soon be made functional under the Health Department to house dogs that are aggressive, biting, or suspected of having rabies. Until these shelters are operational and a permanent management agency is appointed, such dogs are to be kept in existing animal hospitals or shelters.
Currently, under the Animal Birth Control Rules, dogs are caught, sterilised, vaccinated against rabies, and then returned to their original locations. The model is aimed at controlling the stray dog population in a humane manner while ensuring public safety.
The meeting held Monday was chaired by Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M, and was attended by senior officials from the Health Department and other concerned departments of the Authority.
In Noida, selected NGOs will also be tasked with carrying out baseline surveys across the city and adjoining villages to identify which dogs are sterilised, unsterilised, biting, or aggressive.
The press release also said complaints or suggestions with regard to stray dogs can be conveyed by citizens through the number 0120-242502, and that directions have also been issued for the setting up of a toll-free number.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
Noida is overrun with violent and ferocious stray dogs. The only possible solution to the problem is mass culling. Nothing else will work.