FAQs
_______________________________________________________________
1. Why do we need to control animal population in cities?
Animals share a close emotional bond with humans. Unfortunately, rapid urbanization, increasing number of vehicles and burgeoning human population in cities has placed severe constraints on the space available for harmonious co-existence between animals and humans. It has therefore become necessary to control street dog population in large cities.
2. What are the Advantages of controlling Cat and Dog Over Population through spaying / neutering ?
i. Scientific : A 9 year oldA 9 year long study by the World Health Organisation recommends spaying/neutering as the only successful and long term solution for controlling street dog populations.
ii. Ethical: Reducing the number of animals born is the only ethical solution to overpopulation that will have a long-term effect. Killing is not an ethical means of reducing the number of animals. It is banned by the Animal ((Dogs) ) Birth Control Rules, 2001, Govt.of India
iii. Financial:Increasing the number of animals sterilized will reduce the number of animals born and will, therefore, reduce the number of animals on the streets, leading to fewer cases of bites or rabies. This, in turn, will reduce treatment costs.
iv. Public Health and Safety: Reducing the number of animals born will benefit public health and safety. For example, a reduction in surplus animals will mean a reduction in: dogs running loose, animals causing traffic hazards, quarantine costs, dog bites, dog fights, barking complaints, dog droppings, risk of rabies.
3. Why not exterminate all stray dogs?
First of all, indiscriminate killing of dogs is a legal offence ( Dog Rules, 2001. Secondly, it is morally unacceptable.Thirdly, this will not solve the problem. As long as there is garbage available, other dogs will move in, and procreate.The only solution is to control and ultimately reduce the population of stray dogs y neutering/spaying them.
4. Why neuter dogs?
a)Neutering is the only known scientific method for controlling dog population. Other methods like euthanizing, poisoning etc are ineffective, besides being inhuman.
b)If dogs are removed from one area, other dogs will take their place. These new dogs do not have a relationship with the residents and may even be aggressive.
c) Neutered dogs are less aggressive and do not procreate.
( Aggressive dog behaviour is usually due to fights for domination during the mating season, or due to ill treatment by humans).
d) It is illegal to kill stray dogs. As per the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, Govt. of India, 2001, it is mandatory for the local municipal corporation to neuter /spay stray dogs in order to control their population.
5. What can we do if an animal is being ill treated?
First of all, make sure that you have personally seen it being ill treated ( beaten, starved, kicked, tortured, confined to a small space for long stretches of time, over burdened: for more instances, refer to Chapter 3 in Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960)
6. Whom do we approach in case we see an animal being over-burdened / ill treated ?
First, amiably try and persuade the owner of the animal or the person ill-treating it to stop doing so. If this fails, threaten to go to the police. If this too does not work, lodge an FIR at the nearest police station.
7. What do we do if we find a puppy / kitten on the road?
If the animal is healthy, and if you cannot offer it a home, the kindest thing you can do is to leave it alone. Cuddling and feeding it and then abandoning it will make it unfit for fending for itself. Animal shelters also have constraints of space and funds. Also, in shelters, puppies catch infections and have a low survival rate. However, if the animal is injured or sick, it is advisable to take it to a shelter or hospital for treatment. Since most shelters are starved for funds, do offer to pay for the treatment!
8. Whom do we contact if there are a lot of stray dogs in the vicinity?
If you are living in Pune city, you can contact :
- Pune Municipal Corporation’s Dog Squad : Tel. No.: 020-25501000 Ext.1233
- Blue Cross Society of Pune : Dr.Aher . Tel No.: 020 -20262589
9. What should one do if a dog comes up, barking and growling?
- Do not run or shout or raise your hand.
- Stop where you are.
- Talk to the dog/s in a soothing voice.
- Wait till the dog quietens down.
- Move away slowly, without making abrupt movements.
10. WHAT IS RABIES ?
- Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus, which enters the body when a rabies-infected animal bites or licks another animal or human.
- All domestic animals must be vaccinated against rabies.
All bites do not lead to rabies, but it is advisable to take immediate precautionary measures.
11. WHAT TO DO WHEN BITTEN BY AN ANIMAL?
- Wash the wound immediately with plenty of soap and water for 10 minutes, apply an antiseptic and see a doctor immediately/Sassoon Hospital (26128000)
- Take the course of injections as prescribed by the doctors – even if bitten by a pet animal. To be on the safe side, it is advisable to take at least 3 injections. These are more expensive than the intra-dermal injections. The days of taking painful injections in the stomach are over.
- Keep the animal under observation. Isolate it from other animals and humans. If there are no signs of unusual behavior after 2 weeks, the animal is not likely to infected with rabies.
12. DO ALL DOG BITES LEAD TO RABIES?
No. All bites do not lead to rabies, but it is advisable to take immediate precautionary measures.
THESE PRECAUTIONS WILL GREATLY REDUCE THE RISK OF CONTRACTING RABIES. |
