Dog Menace! Solution missing!

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.