There has not been a period in Kerala when the stray dog menace has been so severe. Every year their numbers are soaring. This situation has to change. Elimination of stray dog menace is a human necessity. However, I cannot agree with the demand to kill them. They also have the right to live like any other being. If the rights of humans and animals are compared, the rights of humans are certainly more important. But the argument to kill dogs simply because they are stray animals cannot be accepted. Many times we forget the fact that other animals such as goats and cows also have the right to live like stray dogs.
More than the surge in number of dogs on streets, the problem is they create an atmosphere of unease in the society. They attack whether it is day or night. The situation is such that even babies are attacked. They attack even at home and in schools. This has to be stopped. If anyone creates such a fear that people dread to walk on the street, then there should be laws and action to stop that.
It is the responsibility of the local self-government department to stop the menace of stray dogs. People’s life and property must be protected. If a stray dog bites a person, a complaint can be filed against local bodies for compensation. At the same time, the petitioner also has the responsibility to take precaution to avoid bites from stray dogs.
The most effective measure to prevent the surge in number of stray dogs is sterilization. Even if their population is controlled, even if one dog roaming streets contracts rabies, then the problem will become more complex. If that happens, the disease will spread to more dogs. Rabies will spread even if their saliva falls on a wound. The only solution is to prevent stray dogs from turning into carriers of rabies.
We cannot predict which dog is rabid and when will it bite someone. Everyone should be willing to take the necessary injections if rabies infection is suspected. If the dog that has bitten is observed for 10 days, it can be ascertained whether it is rabid or not. However, in the case of stray dogs, this is not possible. All medicines needed to cure rabies must be available in hospitals. The health department must pay more attention on this matter. Matters should move to such a level that the licences of hospitals which do not store these medicines are cancelled.
The important thing is to prevent attacks by stray dogs and not what to do after such attacks. The only practical step is to catch stray dogs and move them to a safe shelter. For this, the government must find a place and fence it. Sterilized dogs must be kept there. They should be sheltered within the limits of local bodies. Keeping them in a fenced area is not enough; they should be fed, and the government must bear the cost. They should also be vaccinated. They must be protected from disease and hunger.
Special committees chaired by the collector must be formed to ensure proper implementation of such measures. If needed, a separate department should be formed to protect people from stray dogs. Such things are possible only if laws are strictly enforced. Since our country has the most number of laws and the least adherence to law, more caution is needed on this matter.
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