CRUELTY TOWARS STRAY DOGS.

  

Nowadays the problem involving stray dogs is a burning issue! 

Globally there is an estimate of 500 million dogs, of which 80% of them are homeless or rejected by their owners. Certain inhabitants are ready to approve any steps taken by the Government even though these measures are based on inhumane methods of killing due to several reasons:

•  Stray dogs have basically nowhere to go and therefore end up strolling freely on the road. Unfortunately, these dogs might be the cause of drivers losing control of their vehicles and be the cause of deadly accidents.
•  Dogs are always hungry, especially stray dogs which are not fed properly. They might ramble into a private garden in the neighborhood and cause harm to other pets. Else, they enjoy opening garbage bags which get scattered on the road, not only causing accidents but also blocking drains and canals during heavy rainfall. Besides, these scenes are also an eye sore for the ever-increasing tourist population.
• Homeless dogs most of the time bark and howl when involved with another dog causing great disturbance in the whole neighborhood. Furthermore, these types of dogs have nowhere to go and usually end up under buildings where they might find rotten food and dying after consumption. This causes a horrible odor, disturbing the neighborhood even more and is the attraction of flies and other insects which are the starting point of diseases like malaria.
• Female street dogs usually are calm and reserved but when it involves their puppies, they have the tendency to become aggressive and bite any innocent passers-by by accidents through the sole intention of protecting their little ones

While animal lovers will do anything to protect animals and people who consider stray animals like a nuisance, somewhere, both parties are right, and solutions have to be found in order to satisfy both the dogs “haters” and “lovers”.

There is a very popular saying that “a lot can be said about a man by how he treats his dog.” I would take a minor liberty here to re-phrase this adage as, “a lot can be said about a man by how he treats any powerless, voiceless animal out on the streets.”

Why Such An Enormous Stray Dog Population In India?

It is quite obvious that when we go abroad say America, there are hardly any stray dogs roaming around on the streets. But in a stark contrast, Indian streets are home to roughly around 30 million stray dogs .

Even after continuous efforts to curb stray population it only seems to follow the upward trend.

Rising stray dog population in India

This is simply because Indian streets are apt breeding grounds for stray dogs. Open garbage bins and dumping of garbage directly on the streets is the reason why so many strays manage to survive despite not being served regular meals.

Until we do something about the reckless throwing of garbage on the streets by fellow Indians, stray dogs will keep thriving on the streets even if we resolve to a mass killing of these poor innocent souls.

How Do We Deal With The Issue Of Growing Stray Dog Population?

Ah, this is very simple.

Of course, we kill’ em all!

Why? Because we can and because these defenseless animals can’t do anything about it or voice their disapproval like we do.

Sadly, since time immemorial, the only solution that we end up adopting is practicing inhuman cruelty and violence on these innocent beings.

Their fault? Because they are born on the streets and no civilized family wants them.

In 2008, the Kashmir government passed an order for getting rid of its 100,000 stray population by poisoning them stating that “that is a humane way of killing them.” This order was passed in the wake of increasing dog bite and Rabies cases among the population.

In 2015, the Kerala Government also passed an order to carry out mass-killings of its strays because they were creating a menace by biting people.

Mass killings of stray dogs is common in India

And that’s not all.

The government is but a minor player here. Sometimes individuals take it upon themselves to rid the city of the “menacing strays” by becoming a serial killer and killing innocent puppies and dogs in the most gruesome way ever!

This includes throwing puppies off the roof and laughing about it. Stabbing strays without any reason and not feel sorry for it. Burning puppies alive and then videotaping the incident to show people how “brave” these sick morons are!

Now, I understand how serious the issue of dog attacks is.

But, please this is not the way to deal with the issue.

Mass-killing may avert the danger for some time but the problem will return if the cause is not uprooted once and for all.

What Is The Right Way To Deal With This Issue?

#1 Spaying and Neutering Stray Dogs: This is the best possible way to deal with this issue. Logically, if we sterilize stray dogs then obviously they will not multiply and slowly but surely, there will be no stray roaming around the streets.

This solution sounds perfect except there is an acute shortage of NGOs and Animal Welfare organizations that could catch these strays and sterilize them. This process needs a lot of resources and manpower. But if action is taken on a national level, incidents of rabies and dog bites will reduce drastically.

#2 Adopting Stray dogs: Now this solution seems like so weird because who adopts a stray? We all want exotic pet dogs like St. Bernards and Huskies which DON’T EVEN BELONG HERE!

Come on guys, a pet is a pet. Stray dogs have the same capacity to love you irrevocably just like a pedigree dog. In fact, I can guarantee that they will love you more because they are not used to affection and if they receive it from someone; they are the most loyal of them all.

#3 Sensitization of friends, family and co-workers: Mostly half the battle is almost won when awareness among the masses increase. Most of the people don’t know how severe our stray dog population issue is and more importantly, they aren’t aware of how to deal with the issue of rising stray population in your locality. They just run to kill these beings. However, sensitizing our friends, family members, and others we communicate with can go a long way in spreading information and guidance among people.

Animal Laws in India to protect stray dogs

 STRAY DOGS are protected under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA), 1960, and rules enacted under Section 38 of the act, particularly, the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001; Indian Penal Code, sections 428 & 429 and Article 51A (g) of the Constitution.

1.  Street dogs cannot be beaten, killed or driven away or displaced or dislocated, they can only be sterilized in the manner envisaged in The Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, vaccinated, and then returned back to their original locations. The stray dogs can be sterilized only when they’ve attained the age of at least 4 months and not before that.
2. Killing, maiming, poisoning or rendering useless of any animal is punishable by imprisonment for up to two years or with fine or with both, under Section 428 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
3. As per Section 11 (i) of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 abandoning an animal, leaving it in a situation that it suffers pain due to starvation or thirst, is a punishable offence.
4. The Delhi High Court states that there are no laws that prohibit people from feeding stray animals. It is a crime to threaten, abuse or harass Neighbours who feed animals. (Section 506)

In the end, I just want to say that I feel pity for those inhuman people who don’t even hesitate in killing a stray pup and request my fellow citizens to be compassionate towards these powerless creatures.

PALAK MAURYA 

AMITY UNIVERSITY, JAIPUR