In response to the article ‘Declare stray dogs as vermin’, I would like to express my views.
What is the root cause of the increasing stray dog population on our streets?
Did our animals choose to be out there on the streets or was it the community that abandoned them as little pups, kittens or grown dogs out of sheer inhumane negligence, distaste or simple lack of enthusiasm towards caring for their own domestic pets? Does the act of abandoning still exist? Yes it does! Is there a law against abandoning animals? Yes there is! Is the law followed or the perpetrator penalized? No certainly not!
Have there been drives to sterilize strays and domestic pets? Yes there have been. Do people voluntarily bring their animals in for sterilization? A certain percentage does; but even the highly educated mostly refuse to do so.
Is there cruelty bestowed upon strays and even domestic animals? Yes loads.
Do we take humane decisions to control our human population that vastly inflict pain and suffering on animals who are unable to fend or speak for themselves? I think the response is clear to see.
How then can WE as citizens of India who are to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life and have compassion for living creatures under Article 51A(g) in the Constitution of India 1949 now consider “humane” decisions towards ending a problem we started; which involves lives?
The solution to this problem does not lie in simply utilizing our muscle power as a superior being but it lies in taking advantage of our brain power, thinking abilities and resources at hand by simultaneously working on: a) Mass sterilization and vaccination, b) Mass education on the importance of sterilization and vaccinations commencing from our government schools and villages, c) A detailed census held by each Panchayat on incoming animals in their taluka, their respective vaccinations and sterilizations, d) The law against abandoning to be adhered to and the perpetrators penalized. All of these need to go hand in hand.
