Email
Print
ShareStarts vaccination drive in a bid to reduce residents' indifference towards these animals
Dog lovers in Vile Parle were in for a surprise when volunteers from IDA (In Defense of Animals) paid a visit to their area to vaccinatestray dogs. After reports in the media that the BMC would be levying a fine on people feeding strays in Tejpal Scheme, Vile Parle (E), the NGO, planned a visit to the area. Earlier on August 7, 2008, a nine-year-old girl was allegedly mauled and bitten by a pack of six stray dogs in the area when she was waiting for her school bus.
Speaking of the visit, Fizzah Shah, of IDA said, "The BMC has send across a message stating that they would fine the dog lovers in the area, if they feed the strays. Dog lovers can't feed the strays anymore as they are scared of being fined. The residents, too, have become indifferent towards the strays. We decided to vaccinate the dogs and speak to the family of the victim so that we could help them get rid of their fear."
Shah added that she had been receiving calls from animal lovers in Vile Parle (E) who fear that the strays in the area may die of hunger with the BMC ruling in place, which prompted her visit to the area.
During the vaccination drive, even though the four volunteers seemed prepared to brave the task, they did receive flak from people in the area when they tried to vaccinate the dogs. The dogs themselves seemed reluctant to get vaccinated and couldn't be lured by biscuits, but after a few hours the volunteers of the NGO did manage to vaccinate seven of the ten strays they have seen in the area.
Unfortunately, none of the volunteers could get to meet the nine-year-old victim, Sonavi Chitale as the parents refused to speak to the volunteers.
a_anita@dnaindia.net
