The increase in the population of dogs in Srinagar city has
drawn attention of all walks of life. Not only Srinagar city
but adjoining areas also have seen increase in the dog population.
While govt. is doing its every bit in decreasing the growth rate of humans
in India and J&K having scored lowest from rest of India's states, authorities
are helpless in curbing the canine population. Looking at statistics
of canine to human ratio the figures are alarming, 1 dog for every 6
individuals of Srinagar city. The increase in stray dog
population is nothing new in history. In-fact in one of the posh cities of
India, Bangalore was facing the same problem few years back and according to
a study one to two persons were being bitten every hour there. In an internet
based poll which was taken up in Silicon city by some activists 58%
people voted for poisoning of dogs as a solution to the problem, 27% voted
for Sterilization program to be taken up and only 13% were ready
to adopt them.
From reports of stray dog menace in Srinagar city it is sad to observe
that kids are the main victims. Dogs also pose threat road commuters
especially, cyclists and two-wheelers, travelling at dusk. The result is obvious;
someone is hurt and left to bleed by these ruthless packs. With their bites
humans are at risk of contracting Rabies. Rabies is
transmitted to humans with the bite of a rabid dog. Their saliva carries virus,
which enters the human body through the wounds. The virus affects the
Central Nervous System causing inflammation of the brain.
In early stages the symptoms are malaise, fever and headache while in later
stages huge pain, violent movements, uncontrolled excitements, depressions
and inability of swallow water (hydrophobia) accompanies. Coma and
eventually death due to respiratory insufficiency is certain, a death
considered to be most painful death one can ever have.
While rabies vaccine is available almost everywhere, but its timely
administration is highly advised. Even delay of hour can sometimes cost life.
India is reported having world’s highest rate of human rabies because of
stray dogs. With the increase in number of dog bites on daily bases
and in demand for vaccine for it, the shortage is quite expected.
The failure of Municipality to tackle this problem
is being wholly seen due to preventive actions of so called Animal Rights
Organizations only, and SMC has been time and again has been showing its
helplessness to get these dogs poisoned, or taking effective steps for stray
dog menace. The project for poisoning
was taken in 2008 when it received criticism from various
organizations. At that time it was given an altogether a different colour
from dog menace to helpful scavengers. Suggestions of sterilization and
other scientific and un-cruel ways to be adopted were talked about excessively,
but four years passing by SMC could show any results by in reducing the dog
population.
The only responsible in creating this menace are not Animal
Rights Activists and SMC but we people as well. The unending increase of
garbage around us in our localities is the main breeding ground of these dogs.
To add to it dogs can be frequently seen near meat and chicken shops and
shopkeeper throwing every wasteful matter to them as if it is his moral
obligation to feed dogs. Had we to catch a dog from Srinagar city and compare
its weight with one from any other city outside Kashmir be it Jammu or Delhi or
any other, our dog would weigh as much as 2 to 3 times. It is obviously due to
abundant and nutritious food that we feed to our dogs, that it has grown so
healthy and rapidly. The absence of altar houses adds to their sources of food.
In my neighbourhood one can see scores of dogs outside the house of one of the
persons who owns a meat shop. He has a very old habit making lambs
ready at his home and letting the blood flow outside into the drain. Dogs every
morning can be seen tasting fresh blood and having small pieces of flesh in
their breakfast. This scene can be seen in everywhere particularly in the
outskirts of Srinagar city. To add to misery marriage season in
Kashmir creates new nutritious sources of food for these dogs, as we have our
age old custom to waste more food than that what we consume here on marriages.
Also irresponsible municipality workers who have been assigned task
to collect garbage show us their presence only when some festivals are
arriving, for collection of money - Kharcha, or when some VIP
is planned to pay a visit.
Human relation with dogs is prehistoric in nature. Dog seems to be the
first animal to be domesticated by man, but still in these days it can be seen
attacking humans as if they fed on us. Dogs by nature
are territorial animals. They earmark and divide areas and
territories among groups and don't show any reluctance in attacking anyone who
enters into their territory. This man-animal conflict is seen almost in all
wild animals. Earlier dogs being less in number used to have a feeling of fear
for humans, but as they increased in number the fear gradually diminished and
the wild traits in them started showing of their colour. Many a times now,
we can see dogs roaming in groups together as if they are on some mission
reminding me of Rise of the Planet of the Apes. This canine
behaviour can be is bigger and much potent threat for humans as their aggressiveness increases and
can be much more fatal in injuring a human being.
The solution to the problem seems to be nowhere near but we on our own
can start taking measures that can be helpful in solving dog menace. We need to
change our habit of throwing leftover eatables carelessly and preventing it
from becoming canine fodder. Dogs are scavengers but they don't eat everything.
The biggest source of food for stray dogs is human leftover. Also we must try
to maintain a distance from dogs and by our actions incite fear in them. In
case we come across a group of dogs in our way we should try to chase
them away by throwing some stone or by showing stick to them, and try to avoid
passing silently - remember we are always unwelcome in their territory. If they
start baking we should prefer not to run away but try to keep firm feet and
give them notion of being stronger than them. We should shout back at them in
louder sound that their first bark - remember animals always attack whom they
feel are weaker and afraid of them. And, in animal world the louder your first
shout stronger you are. Also in a race between man and a dog, the dog is always
a winner.
Hopefully by the blessing of God before Govt. comes up with any solution
for dog menace we might be able to survive this way and as the saying
goes, every dog has its day, the dogs of Srinagar too will have a
day.
