Canine menace raises its ugly head in Ponda’s Silva Nagar

Team Herald

PONDA: Love for stray dogs by some has become a big nuisance for others living in Silva Nagar, Ponda.

Social Worker Viraj Sapre, who is also from the locality, along with some other residents of the locality complained that around 15 stray dogs and puppies have made their life miserable. 

Sapre said he too is an animal lover, but he feels that safety of locals, especially children, should comes first. He said anyone can love animals, but they should ensure that their overflowing love for stray is not causing risk of lives and nuisance for others. 

He, along with locals, said that sadly some animal lovers feed stray dogs, provide shelter and allow them to roam freely in locality. If questioned by locals, the animal lovers complain against locals to authorities. 

The locals said they are constantly living under fear of stray dog attacks. The stray dogs chase locals, damage their scooter seat covers, car bonnets and cause nuisance.

The locals said those animals lovers should keep them at safer place like dog shelter homes, visit their and feed them but it should not be in the locality.

The locals said, “We approached with our complaints to municipality, mamlatdar and veterinary department. But persons feeding stray dogs in return files complaint against us. Stray animals have made our life hell.”

Viraj Sapre said not only food, but also shelter is provided. When accosted, the canine lovers complain against locals, stating that they are harassing stray animals. 

“We don’t know what to do with this situation. These dogs are threat to our life and property. They damage our seat covers. They chase us,” he said.

One lady said recently when she applied breaks to save a puppy running across the road, her child fell on ground from the two-wheeler and got hurt.

Sapre said the animal lovers should take full responsibility of stray dogs. 

“They should get the sterilization done of these dogs, ensure anti-rabies vaccinations are given periodically and in case of their death, should bury them, give medical treatment to people in case of dig bite, bear the expenses take the responsibility for public losses like vehicles damages and finally provide them shelter in their homes like pet dogs so that they will not roam in public and attack people,” Sapre added.