‘Sterilising strays is a more lasting way to curb the menace’

The Bombay High Court decision allowing the killing of rabid and nuisance-causing stray dogs by putting them to sleep has not gone down well with animal welfare organisations and dog lovers.

These organisations unanimously agree that killing is not the solution and the best way to control the stray population is efficient sterilisation. Anuradha Sawhney, chief functionary, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) says, “I haven’t received a copy of the judgement yet, but my main worry is, what constitutes a nuisance dog? To control the dog population the BMC should focus on animal birth control and clearing garbage.”

While the BMC has initiated a sterilisation drive for strays a long time ago, this drive remains restricted to a few animal welfare NGOs. Veterinarian Makrand Chausalkar says, “While sterilisation is the most viable, its slow-pace is a major drawback. It should be done in a much larger proportion.” 

According to Goodicia Vaidya, president, In Defence of Animals (IDA), increasing the number of animal shelters is another option. “We take many strays in our shelter house.

After a month, we observe positive changes in their behaviour,” she says. “Few dogs are hyperactive and we treat them with homoeopathic medicines to calm them.”

While a six weeks stay has been placed on the order, sterilisation continues to be the favoured choice for many.