SANTOSH NAIK
PONDA
Dogs have been considered man’s best friend but with over 800 cases of dog bites reported at the Ponda Sub-District Hospital from January to September alone, dogs are quickly turning into a one of the motorist’s worst enemies in Ponda taluka.
And with the stray cattle to further trouble the motorists, locals have begun demanding pounds for stray cattle and dogs, in order to prevent them from endangering the lives of motorists and pedestrians along the roads and streets in the taluka.
The number of patients treated at Sub-District Hospital, Ponda, were January (115), February (78), March (144), April (61), May (101), June (70), July (80), August (61) and September (108). This alarming figure came to light when a rabid dog bit 11 passersby near a housing colony at Bethora-Ponda on October 15.
Stray cattle has also become a major problem in Ponda taluka and herds of stray cattle are present all along the Ponda-Belgaum road, especially at Sanjivani Sugar Factory, Dharbandora, Farmagudi, Kavalem, Borim, Bandora, Bethora and other parts of Ponda.
The presence of stray cattle along the highway has resulted in many road mishaps in recent times. The casualties have not only been the motorists, as eight stray cattle were killed by vehicles in Dharbandora in the past few months. Such has been the anxiety over problems posed by stray cattle and stray dogs that many panchayats have adopted resolutions demanding urgent action by the State government to tackle the problem.
“Earlier, these stray cattle were looked after when people were involved in farming activity. But due heavy cost of agriculture, modernisation and other reasons, all cattle grazing places have turned into commercial places and cattle have few places for grazing. As a result, they roam on the streets and feed on waste discarded by people and hoteliers,” said Shiv Sena member Kamlakant Naik.
Viraj Sapre from Ponda felt that the State government should set up pounds for stray dogs and cattle in each taluka. “There has been a lot of sterilisation and vaccination programme, but the stray dog population has not declined. On the contrary, the stray dogs have kept on increasing,” said Sapre.
“Cattle/dog pounds could have multiple advantages as well. Besides rounding up and controlling the stray cattle/dogs, the cow dung could be used for biogas projects and waste food from hotels and homes could be diverted to these places,” he added.
When contacted, former chief minister Ravi Naik said the menace of stray dog is prevalent right from Pernem to Canacona. “People spend sleepless nights because of stray dogs and during the day, stray dogs chase motorists and passersby on the roads. Similarly, stray cattle are the cause of many accidents. The municipalities and panchayats must undertake measures to control the stray dog/cattle menace. I appeal to people not to throw waste food on the road. Since animals are protected by law, it is responsibility of the State government to construct dog and cattle shed to minimise the menace,” said Naik.
Speaking to Herald, Curti Khandepar Sarpanch Deepa Naik said the panchayat will start a programme to sterilize stray dogs with the assistance of animal welfare groups. “The increasing number of stray dog and cattle is a great problem in the village. We have also decided to convene a meeting to discuss the issue,” the sarpanch said.
