Delhi-NCR seeks Solution to the Stray Dog Problem-Manu Singh

New Delhi: -There is one issue that vexes and divides many in India and that is of stray dogs and cattle. India gets a uniquely notorious reputation for stray animals all over roads, parks, residential areas and so on. These strays result in many tragedies both for them as well as commuters, residents, children. Stray dog problems have been amplified now for a long time. Resident associations groups routinely have posts detailing the issue and many incidents. People on walks and children playing have been mauled by strays. They poop all over lawns and green areas. It makes it very difficult to maintain cleanliness and is in many ways a major health issue today. This has also resulted in people not going out for walks and children unable to play freely in many localities due to fear of stray dogs.

Many dog lovers that feed them in designated or non-designated areas of residential areas or their surroundings are in conflict with many residents who oppose this activity. Thus, some fight to designate areas to feed, however this is also cumbersome for security staff to enforce. This results in continual conflict among feeder groups and those against feeding the strays. Further courts have ruled against strays in societies being thrown just outside the gates, which is then pointed by members and I have witnessed many members ready to go to court on such issues against each other. However, even if strays are carried outside gates, this does not solve the problem. Throwing “garbage” outside one’s door does not make the house cleaner. In our housing society, they did exactly that and a couple of new born very sweet puppies were run over by vehicles which led to more bitterness. Further with some time passage the strays again reappeared inside premises and thus the issue came back again with all its manifestations.

However, in the heat of this kind of confrontational standoff, very simple solutions to such problems get sidelined and not implemented. I studied the issue and found the stray dog numbers are estimated at around 230,000 in the NCR region. We also have tens of thousands of societies where the strays are dominant. Since mass culling and killing of the strays is out of the question the only available option is to confine the strays in some manner that is acceptable to all parties. But we cannot also put them in prison or in a cage, that would not be acceptable to most including me. That is why a portable dog play area of 350-450 square feet that houses about 5-7 strays comfortably with varied facilities can be implemented in most residential areas. It would essentially provide the following:

1. A portable area of confining strays within fencing.
2. A play area with shelters, feed areas, swimming, sand, lawns, feed areas and play things.
3. Easier vet health assessment, sterilization and vaccinations.
4. Puts an end to conflict between feeder and non-feeder groups in societies
5. Dog lovers get a chance to really take care of strays and make their life good.
6. Very reasonably priced versions depending upon number of features in the park.
7. Free of legal hassles.

Since it is portable and modular in design, it would be easy to shift from one place to another. It is also very reasonable with the budget for a society. If this is taken up in a number of housing societies over the next year or so, we can drastically visualize the end to the stray dog menace in our region and nation. Thus, a basic version of about 350 square feet would cost about Rs 18,000 and as we add strays, area and facilities it would increase. This kind of cost for aa approximately 500 family residential area is just Rs 36 per family. Implementing this however, requires the understanding and participation of residents and the elected associations and their security setups. But once successful this will lead to far lesser dog bite related health issues, mauling instances and provide a better control over the health of stray canines. It would provide a lot more peace of mind when we achieve those goals over a broader region. We look forward thus to housing societies and associations coming forward in large numbers to provide strays in their areas a happy portable play area.                               (feature image credit-ar.pencil.com)

*Opinions expressed are  Author’s own.  Mr.  Manu Singh can be contacted at #98119  07926.

Commander VK Jaitly (Retd.), IIT Kharagpur alumni and Management Consultant, Motivator writes:

       Once these stray dogs are brought inside these highly cost effective enclosures as suggested by my friend  Manu Singh, they can be administered Indian Make RISUG male contraceptive by Padma Awardee Prof Sujoy Guha, another alumnus of IIT Kharagpur. The RISUG stands for Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance. At present stray dog is caught in some locality and same day dog is transported to a Surgery clinic. Next day an operation is done. Drastic procedure under General Anaesthesia. Dog is kept in the clinic for 3 to 4 days and then transported back to the site where it was caught and released. A 6 to 7 day procedure involving transportation of the dog is involved.
Instead a van equipped with RISUG will visit these enclosures, given a very short acting anaesthetic injection like Ketamine. Dogs will be taken inside the van and RISUG administered non surgically and in a very simple manner in just 7 minute procedure. By that time dog comes out of the effect of Ketamine and walks away back to the enclosure. No transportation of the dog will be involved.
RISUG ensures no post procedure pain and no infection from the dust etc to which an animal is exposed in its normal environment.

The beauty is RISUG is of INDIA ORIGIN by Padma Awardee Prof Sujoy Guha and the only one of its kind in the world.

These two together having roots from IIT Kharagpur are providing a guaranteed solution to the Dog Menace and at a very reasonable price.