NT Reporter
Panaji
Instead of relocating stray dogs, focus should be on educating people on how to live safely with dogs, dog-bite management, and proper food-waste disposal, said Dr Murugan Appupillai, Director,
Mission Rabies.
“Considering human–animal conflict, human suffering due to dog bites, and animal welfare concerns, it may be better to focus on educating people on how to live safely with dogs,” he said, speaking on the recent Supreme Court order on relocating stray dogs from public institutions and transport hubs. Vaccination and sterilisation of both owned and community dogs in a planned, time-bound manner that covers at least 70 per cent of the dog population is important
he said.
“There should be compulsory dog registration and responsible pet ownership to prevent abandonment, encourage sterilisation and vaccination, and promote adoption of community dogs. Local bodies must strictly enforce proper food-waste management and compulsory pet registration,” said Appupillai.
He said that removing dogs from public institutions and transport hubs and then returning them later is not a
practical solution.
“Existing NGO shelters are already full, and creating new government shelters will take huge funds and many years. It is also not possible to fence or secure schools, hospitals, bus stands, and railway stations in a way that completely blocks dog entry, because these places have open surroundings and plenty of food waste,” said Appupillai, adding that even if dogs are removed once, other street dogs will quickly
enter these spaces.
He said that around three years ago, the Airport Authority of India and the Indian Air Force removed and relocated dogs following accidents caused by dogs on runways.
“However, despite strong security and fencing, the same problem has returned.” He said that airport areas do not even have food waste or public access, yet the issue continues.
Dr Appupillai said that Mission Rabies – Worldwide Veterinary Service is always ready to support any government or organisation with technical help.
