Dog Sterilization; Is it only in Papers?
Sarthak Kanjilal
Port Blair, Apr 25: The dog population has assumed alarming proportions in many other parts of Port Blair city. With the issue seemingly way down on the priority list of the PBMC, general public are left to their own devices when it comes to save themselves from the gnashing and growling canines.
The commuters especially two-wheeler riders have a different problem. In many junctions, stray dogs chasing two-wheelers in a menacing manner.
Currently, the PBMC has a team of four to six dog catchers with only one dog catching van which works in two shifts.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha the Secretary of Port Blair Municipal Council (PBMC) Mr. Raksh Bali, IAS said that there are about 7,000 stray dogs in Port Blair city.
“According to law after sterilization of dogs we have to leave them at the same place from where we had picked them up. The dog sterilization is looked after by an NGO, and for sterilizing of one dog we are paying them Rs 450. Earlier, we used to sterilize 100 dogs in a month and now I have told them to sterilize 200 dogs in a month,” Mr. Bali added.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha, Dr. Geeta Gladson, from ‘Friendicoes Seka’, an NGO, which works for the dog sterilization in the islands, said that since 2009 nearly 3900 dogs have already been sterilized.
When asked whether the dog sterilization is done only in papers, considering the growing menace of dogs on road, Dr. Geeta Gladson clarified that the NGO gets payment only after the Sanitary Inspectors and Doctors from Animal Husbandry, certify the sterilization operations by counting organs (two testicles and two ovaries of Dogs).
“We preserve the organs and only after organ counting we dispose off those organs infront of the Sanitary Inspectors. The payments are cleared on that basis organ counting,” she added.
Rubbishing allegations of malpractice in dog sterilisation works Dr. Geeta the work of Sterilisation is carried out as per the norms. “Impact will be seen after the forth year and according to me I am seeing it from now itself, as the numbers of female dogs with puppies are very rarely seen on the streets,” Dr. Geeta added.
Though the picture from the side of PBMC looks rosy but actually things are terribly difficult for General Public. At night little children are scared to step outside as gang of dogs often attack small kids. Every junction of Port Blair city remains captured by two dozens of dogs, which is making life difficult for common man.
Apropos you news item “Port Blair city becomes Dog’s paradise; Islanders feel alienated”
Why this kolaveri on such a trivial issue! It is so simple. Take a cue from forest department and erect “Beware of Dogs” signboards on all the roads as has been done to tackle crocodile menace.
Thereafter conduct a seminar and declare, the population of dogs has not increased, but their sightings have increased. Have Tea, Snacks and let life go on as usual.