PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
Concerns over aggressive stray dogs continue in parts of Dehradun with a man being reportedly attacked by a pack of stray dogs in the Doon Vihar area of Dehradun recently. At the same time, the proposed dog shelter project of the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) is still awaiting government approval.
Residents of some areas have alleged that despite repeated complaints, aggressive stray dogs continue roaming freely in various localities. Vijay Vanchani said that the MCD captures stray dogs, carries out sterilisation and vaccination under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme and later releases the dogs back into the same area from where they were picked up. He claimed that this practice has failed to solve the problems posed by aggressive dogs.
The Supreme Court, in earlier directions related to stray dog management, had stated that dangerous or repeatedly aggressive stray dogs should not be released back into the same locality if they pose a threat to public safety. Such animals are supposed to be shifted to designated shelters.
The MCD had announced on March 11 that a dedicated dog shelter would be developed within its cow shelter compound at Shankarpur. The officials had then said that the infrastructure at the gaushala complex would be expanded and a separate shelter facility for dogs would be constructed on the adjoining land. However, more than two months later, no visible progress has been made in the project.
Dehradun mayor Saurabh Thapliyal said that the corporation is trying to identify aggressive stray dogs so that residents feel safer in the city.
Senior municipal veterinary officer Dr Varun Aggrawal said that the proposal has already been cleared from the corporation’s side but approval from the government is still pending. “The Detailed Project Report (DPR) has already been sent to the government. Construction work has not started yet because approval is awaited,” he said.
Aggarwal said that the proposed project cost is around Rs four crore, including nearly Rs 2.5 crore for the Shankarpur dog shelter and around Rs 1.5 crore for upgrading the Kedarpuram facility where sterilisation work is carried out.
He also explained that aggressive dogs cannot simply be picked up and shifted immediately. Aggarwal said that identification of dangerous dogs is usually done through a special team involving representatives from the Animal Welfare Board, veterinary doctors and animal welfare activists.
