Ggn residents’ body, NGO tame stray dogs to be guards

The RWA of Nirvana Country has adopted and tamed 15 stray dogs in a joint initiative with members of the NGO Wildlife SOS.

The residents’ welfare association (RWA) of Nirvana Country, an upscale society in the city, has adopted and tamed 15 stray dogs in an effort to reduce the dog menace in the area.

Security guards of the society are also involved in the project. (Abhinav Saha/HT Photo)

The project that started eight months ago as a joint initiative of the RWA and the members of Wildlife SOS —an NGO — has turned out to be mutually beneficial for the residents and the dogs.

The ‘animal conditioning program project’ was initiated to mitigate man animal conflict by using positive reinforcement and gentle conditioning to make dogs more social.

“The conditioning helped these canines to become friendly with the residents. Since dogs are territorial creatures, they treat the condominium as their home and have become watch dogs,” Umesh Mehta, a resident, said.

The RWA aims to increase the number of dogs in the program to 40 in two months.

“This plan aims to help contain the burgeoning street dog population in the city without harming the animals. This concept can be adopted other societies as well,” Sanu Kapila, president of Nirvana Country RWA, said.

Security guards of the society are also involved in the project. “These adopted dogs are able to adapt, tolerate and work in tandem in making the society safer,” a guard said.

The volunteers of the NGO provide services such as vaccinating and neutering the dogs to ensure safety of residents. “The entire process is done on a scientific basis. We are fully equipped to be able to turn this into a positive experience,” a volunteer of Wildlife SOS said.

Earlier the dogs used to chase residents but now they have become friendly to the extent that residents take them for walks.