The news item concerning seven persons having been bitten by a rabid dog at Curchorem, followed by the dog going on the rampage and biting other people as well as attacking other dogs along the way (Herald, dated Sept 24, 2014), once again brings into focus the weaknesses and fallacies of Mission Rabies which, supposedly, aims to eradicate rabies and curb the stray-dog population in India as a whole, and in Goa, particularly.
This incident comes close on the heels of a pervious similar incident which took place a month ago, wherein 25 people from Velsao, Sancoale, and Dabolim, were bitten by one stray, rabid dog that went on a rampage during the day and it was killed by members of the terrorized population. Apparently, nowhere on the scene at that time were either the relevant authorities or the NGOs who have taken upon themselves the responsibility of dealing with the stray/rabid dogs and the menace of rabies in Goa.
According to a press report, Mission Rabies Goa, aims at sterilizing and vaccinating 80% of the stray dog population within 6 months — but elsewhere the report quotes a targeted figure of 20,000 vaccinations and sterilizations. Further Mission Rabies claims to intend re-vaccinating the same dogs every year in the years to come in order to maintain the rabies free status. The fact remains that there is no census of the actual number of stray dogs in Goa, which is currently mandated under the rules in force, but never carried out.
In the absence of a clear idea of the total number of stray dogs in Goa, how does Mission Rabies come to the conclusion that 20,000 vaccinations and sterilizations will achieve the goal of rabies eradication? Going by a rule of thumb published by The National Rabies Survey of India, the estimated number of stray dogs in Goa would be in the range of 60,000-80,000.
How can stray dog population be controlled if only 20,000 dogs are sterilized, while another 20,000 or more unsterilized dogs are merrily breeding—which is exactly what has been happening under the animal birth-control (ABC)) of dogs in Goa, over the past 15 years. Therefore, it will be necessary to achieve at least 50,000 sterilizations and vaccinations within 6 months, if the stated goals of Mission Rabies, Goa, are to be achieved. Hopefully, the Administrators are aware of this and will work to achieve an optimum target, not just a minimum target.
It is unclear how Mission Rabies intends to re-vaccinate and document that the very same dogs are re-vaccinated year after year, if eradication of canine rabies is to be achieved. A mere random sterilization and vaccination of dogs will not protect the population from the physical and mental agony, as well as the financial burden to victims of stray dog attacks.
A bite from a supposedly vaccinated dog would necessitate anti-rabies treatment to the victim which would cost between Rs. 5000-20,000 per victim — a sum most of these victims can ill afford.
Mission Rabies will only succeed if carried out in a completely logical and scientific manner. Unfortunately, in India, emotional issues often push aside logical and scientific reasoning.
