Respite in sight from stray dogs menace

Rajkot: Stray dog menace in the city seems never-ending. Ferocious canines that go on a biting spree are impounded, but later released at the same place after treatment as the rule demands.
However, there could be some respite for citizens in the near future with the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC ) chalking out a plan to create a better environment for the captured violent dogs.

An open cage-like area where these dogs can get more space to move around is being planned near Madhapar sewage treatment plant. The captured dogs are presently kept here, but they are stuffed into a small cage, which makes them even more ferocious. Currently, RMC has a small cage of 1 X 1 metre.

The new ‘friendly’ facility will be created in a 50 X 50 feet area and RMC is planning to have five c ages each of 14 X 12 feet in size that can house six dogs at a time. Importantly, RMC will also train the ferocious dogs in such a away that they mellow down and don’t bite people.

Every year, nearly 20,000 cases of dog bites are registered with the civic body and around 60,000 dogs have been sterilized in the city since 2007.

BR Jakasania, veterinary officer of animal menace control department said, “We impound the violent dogs after complaints of dog bites. The complainants need to also give us evidence of dog bites like the treatment papers.”

Once these dogs are trained, they will be released in the same area from where they were captured. “We will also allow people, who feel that these dogs are harassed due to their violent nature, to adopt the canines,” said Jakasania.

Experts said that dogs get furious due to harassment by residents, who don’t like them around as they cause litter near their homes and even soil their cars.

“Now, these dogs will not only get proper training, but also good food and would be released only after their behavior gets normal,” officials said.