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CM’s plan of managing the stray dogs of the capital would only be successful if the experts involved are genuine, plan is well researched, well-structured, time bound and transparent.
To me the directive that each municipal ward to identify the number of stray animals and devise an action plan for their rehabilitation seems confusing. It must be replaced by one plan with unity of command and zero confusion.
At present, both humans and stray dogs of the capital are unhappy with each other and because of each other.
Humans are unhappy because stray dogs bark, howl, fight, bite, attack causing anxiety, affecting mobility and outdoor activities of humans The pungent smell of dog urine, and dog poop lead to sanitation issues and health risks such as toxocariasis.
Stray dogs of the capital are unhappy, under stress, unhealthy with lusterless fur, untreated injuries, diseases, vulnerable to human abuse and cruelity, lacking medical care, and struggling with food and water scarcity.
This situation needs to change.
The global dog population is estimated to be 900 million and policies to manage them are:
- i) trap-neuter-return
- ii) permanent removal of dogs from the streets and their indefinite housing in shelters.
iii) adoption (national or international)
- iv) euthanasia.
In Pakistan, 27,576 dogs were killed within the city of Lahore; during 2005. In 2009 Public Health Department launched a campaign to kill 5,000 stray dogs and that number went up to 34,942 in 2012.
In USA each year, approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats are euthanized because shelters are too full and there are not enough adoptive homes.
In Thailand street dogs are not euthanized but rounded up and sold as meat in Vietnam and China.
Turkey was euthanising stray dogs till 2004, when the government passed a law requiring local officials to rehabilitate rather than annihilate stray dogs. It requires animals to be sterilized, vaccinated and taken back to the place where they were found. Its Animal Protection Law No. 5199 states a no kill, no capture policy, and unlawful euthanization prosecutable offenses.
India has approximately 2 crore stray dogs. Of these only 2 % are in Delhi.Inspire of all the measures taken by the government and non government organizations the number of stray dog population in many areas is still on the rise. The main reason for that is the collapse of vulture populations. Both vultures and stray dogs consume large quantities of dead animal carcasses. With less vultures to share the food stray dogs get to eat more with less effort , thus spent more time copulating exploding their population and becoming a health hazard.
On paper India is supposed to have a robust Animal Birth Control program but on ground its almost a failure specially when compared with our neighbor Bhutan.
In 2009 the Kingdom of Bhutan with its Buddhist national policies created a humane, holistic and sustainable model for the management of its stray dogs. The model ensured both the health and welfare of the dogs and a peaceful coexistence between dogs and people.
After 16 years of consistent work by the government, non government organisations and public hundred percent of its 153,000 stray dogs are neutered and vaccinated. More than 31,000 pets have been registered and micro-chipped.
Bhutanese veterinarians and animal handlers involved in the stray dog management program were trained in high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter techniques, as well as canine behavior and animal welfare.
They persisted day in and day out, walking through mountains and hillsides, identifying unsterilized dogs and also encouraging residents to bring them to district clinics. They trained thousands of volunteers and hundreds of government staff. The government developed the Veterinary Information System (VIS) – an online animal health information management system. It tracks and manages data related to veterinary services delivered across the country, including data from animal health extension centers, regional farms, and other relevant agencies. Also the government encouraged young people to take up veterinary studies in a big way and get employment in the program.
Delhi CM’s office must learn from Bhutan and replicate the model in entirety. Actually it must go a step further and become world leader in banning ‘puppy mills’ and all breeding for pet industry.
Let all pets only be the stray dogs.
Stray dogs can make wonderful pets. Many street dogs are resilient, loyal, and capable of forming strong bonds with their human caregivers. With proper care, training, and veterinary attention, they can thrive in loving homes.
Stray dogs are good companion animals, guards, work animals and life saviours. In 2010, during Taliban Insurgency one soldier got friendly with three Afgan stray dogs. When a Taliban suicide bomber tried sneaking in a barrack the three dogs mauled him saving the lives of all 50 soldiers in that barrack.
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