Corruption plagues measures to manage stray dogs in country

new delhi: A 65-year-old woman died after being attacked by stray dogs in Kerala last week. A 7-year-old was killed by strays in Delhi’s Jamia Nagar and a dog bite

new delhi: A 65-year-old woman died after being attacked by stray dogs in Kerala last week. A 7-year-old was killed by strays in Delhi’s Jamia Nagar and a dog bite was recorded every six minutes in 2015 in the city.

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The call to capture and kill stray dogs, which is often heard after similar incidents, has only grown stronger. A debate is also raging on about animal rights violation and human intervention.

HOW OTHERS DO IT

Several countries across the world have faced similar problems in the past and have worked hard to control the stray population. Some have no stray population anymore.

According to a report that uses data from the World Society for Protection of Animals and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, out of 31 European countries, only 7 tried to control stray population by culling as the first resort. Only one of these, Moldova, saw any decrease in stray population using the method.

In other countries, catching, neutering and releasing or housing in shelters and regulating the breeding industry has worked. Only as a last resort are strays killed in a few more countries.

The Netherlands was dealing with large stray population in the late 1800s and early1900s with rabies being the biggest dog-related threat. According to a 2012 report by the Animal Foundation Platform, the state initially responded with culling dogs but the strategy did not work.

If a stray is killed or moved to a different place, another will take its place because of abundant resources in the area, studies have found. If the new stray is unsterilised, the dog population will increase.

WHAT WORKED

A combination of neutering (sterilisation), opening many permanent shelters for dogs, mandatory pet registration and adoption facilities that worked. The best practice, the report says, is CNVR — collect, neuter, vaccinate and return to original place.

This is followed in India but inadequate facilities and corruption plague the system.

“Bhutan has managed its stray dog population successfully using the CNVR method. Our sterilisation programme is not working properly because of the corruption in corporations, which are responsible for the city’s stray animals,” said Abhinav Srihan of animal welfare organisation, Fauna Police.

REMOVING GARBAGE DUMPS HELPS

A clean city regulates stray population. Open garbage dumps gives dogs unlimited access to food and ups the carrying capacity of the area. Deserted and clean areas rarely have the problem of stray dogs.

“Most strays feed at open garbage dumps in India. It is a pressing issue. Even if we somehow get rid of dogs, they will be replaced by mice. Dogs are easier to handle. Be friendly and sterilise them. Don’t throw stones at them and make things difficult,” Srihan said.

Registering pet dogs is most countries that have successfully dealt with the problem is mandatory. Pets either have tattoos or microchips to identify owners in case of abandonment or loss. The owners are penalised if they abandon dogs.

In Slovenia, dog breeders are strictly monitored and one bitch is not allowed to give birth more than once a year. The rule also applies to pets. Neither of these rules are followed in India.

Friendicoes, the biggest animal welfare organisation in Delhi takes in 8 animals each day, most of them dogs. In a year, only about 100 are adopted.