In a very recent incident, while out for a routine morning walk in a Delhi park, I was suddenly jolted by violent barking sounds of dogs. The loud barking sounds were intermixed with cries of a child. I just saw the child running and screaming for his life. Two stray dogs were near him, trying to hunt him as a prey. As they got nearer to him, I somehow managed to get some stick from a plant and managed to save the child and shoo away the dogs. The nine year old child just clung to me, almost pale, dizzy and his eyes closed with fear. His football was in his lap, which he was trying to use as shield. A shield which society, government, courts and so called “dog-lovers” failed to provide. This child must be the life for his parents and could have been in a great trouble that day because of apathy of few “Animal Lovers”. For whom animal love is like a hobby to be projected for hollow public applause. I looked around, a gentleman was comfortably sitting with his small dog and reading newspaper. He did not even bother to look at what was happening. He was the person, who used to feed these stray dogs and claimed himself to be a “Dog lover”. He was totally unperturbed by the fact that a child was about to lose his life because of these wolf like dogs roaming freely. Fed by him, the stray dogs were like friends to him and used to attack others who did not feed them, or were new or oblivious to the danger. What was bothering was his apathy to the child and victims and the fact that he continued to feed that violent stray, unperturbed during the incident. Similar apathy has been displayed by government and courts with a result that thousand suffer from dog bite every day.
Is it not hypocritical that you care for a violent stray who is a threat to the society? Problem is not about loving and feeding dogs, but simultaneous apathy towards safety of humans. Such dog lovers most of the time, totally ignore the fact that these dogs are a threat to children and older people. An immediate sense of hatred towards such dog lovers is a consequence and a natural thought.
Apart from the injury part, Rabies is a disease spread by dog bite, which is not treatable. Getting anti-Rabies serum becomes another Herculean task.
Courts have also upheld animal rights. That is right but they did not formulate policies to ensure guard safety of humans from these violent strays.
Government has not made out any policy to safeguard public from such attacks nor have courts come up with any solid guidelines, which can save public, children, women and older people from such bites.
Animal lovers while pretending of “dog love” have formed NGOs and have donations and accumulate money. But have failed to create shelters for stray dogs. Neither have any steps been taken to save people from dog bites. So consequently, people especially vulnerable are children and older people who are mauled and eaten alive by stray dogs. What responsibility and accountability these animal lovers and NGO bear towards such incidents? Why people who collect money in name of animals do not take care and form shelters for these strays? every single death from such preventable cause raise a question on this issue.
Apathy of these so called dog lovers towards humans is appalling.
Besides dog bite and injuries, animal and dog poop is an health hazard. Following are the diseases which occur in community because of animal poop.
Problem of animal poop with dust : It is all around us. It is actually even a bigger health problem than open defecation by humans. Humans defecate in country side and in open fields. But stray animals and dogs are everywhere. Even owner of pet dogs make them defecate outside their own houses and on the roads and wherever their dogs chooses. This poop dried and mixed with dust, acts a source of infection to the community.
Life threatening infections : dog’s and animal faeces is a big health hazard. It is even worse than a dog bite since it spreads infection in entire community. A dog’s digestive system can handle just about anything that it eats and this makes its poop very toxic. Animal faeces contain pathogens, which are known to cause severe diseases, infections and organ failure. These heavy loads of bacteria increase the risk of infections in the community. But pregnant women, children and people with suppressed immune systems may are more prone to these infections. Many diseases may be spread by millions of these dogs and other animals like pigs, cattle as their faeces contain parasites, bacteria and viruses. These include life threatening bacterial infections by E. coli, MRSA, Leptospira, Salmonellosis, Campylobacteriosis, brucellosis, Rickettsia and parasitic infections like Giardiasis, Whipworm, Hookworm, Roundworms, Tapeworms, Cryptosporidiosis, Echinococcosis, Leishmaniasis etc. Viral infections like rabies, influenza and other viruses may also spread through these animals.
Environmental health Hazard: Storm water runoff due to extensive rainfall can wash off all these droppings into drains, many of which are connected to river systems and water sources in our country. This can lead to a widespread source of waterborne illnesses. Dry poop on the roads is mixed with dust particles and in the air. So everyone is living in a highly infectious environment. This may be an important cause of high rates of community acquired infections among our population. SUGGESTION: the Government, NGOs and people who claim to be “animal lovers” should create shelters to save strays “as well as people”. It should be mandatory that all the dog and animal (stray or pet) droppings are properly collected and disposed off. This single step can do wonders as it will reduce infections, people’s suffering, save lives and eventually reduce use of antibiotics. A rationale mind will definitely appreciate the danger due to strays, and can initiate proper steps rather criticizing above said facts in the name of animal rights. An animal has no sense of responsibility, so rights should be limited accordingly. |
Sir, I fully agree with you. These so called animal lovers and NGOs should at least arrange to get these stray dogs sterilized ( with the help of govt. agencies) so that this menace can be reduced to some extent. With your permission , can I forward your article to other groups?
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Yes, sure. Thanks
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The narrative by dog lovers that a dog who is fed is less likely to attack people – needs to be countered by us . I am seeing a rising incidence of dog bites needing anti rabies Vaccine .
Also the kids need to be taught how to stay safe from a street dog , to decrease cases of dog bite !
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It is difficult for children, as they are terrified. Dogs are usually in pecks, which makes a difficult situation
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