LMC to float global tender for dog sterilisation
LUCKNOW:After canine attacks in Sitapur, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has decided to float a global tender next month for sterilisation of dogs in Lucknow, said municipal commissioner Udairaj Singh.
The aim is to sterilise around 60,000 dogs in three years. The LMC is going to provide infrastructure to the companies and NGOs involved in the work of sterilisation. These organisations would be getting some money per sterilisation or the amount which they would be quoting in the open tender. On an average, the central government pays Rs 1,200 to the organisation per sterilisation, said municipal commissioner Udairaj Singh.
THE AIM IS TO STERILISE AROUND 60,000 DOGS IN THREE YEARS. THE LMC IS GOING TO PROVIDE INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE COMPANIES AND NGOS INVOLVED IN THE WORK OF STERILISATION
NGOS HAMPER WORK: LMC OFFICIAL
“If we have to stop Sitapur-like incidents, concrete steps have to be taken and global tender is one of them. In the past, NGOs have hampered the work of animal birth control in the city. These organisations never undertook sterilisation job, they just worked for their grants,” said Dr AK Rao, chief veterinary officer, LMC. “Before 2006, the municipal corporation had a fund for elimination of dangerous dogs. The LMC still has a .22 mm gun purchased in 1960 for eliminating dangerous dogs. But now, it is rendered useless as LMC doesn’t kill dogs. Dogs would be sterilised and sent back to the same areas again, but will this change their behaviour?” asked Dr AK Rao.
ABOUT DOG BEHAVIOUR
“Everyone is a pet lover but no one will like it if a pet bites kids. The basic instinct of dogs is hunting in packs. Dogs remain a friend only if domesticated and over- powered, otherwise they follow the basic instinct,” said VK Joshi, dog behaviour expert.
HYENAS, NOT DOGS, BEHIND ATTACKS, SAYS ACTIVIST
Animal rights activist Kamna Pandey said hyenas were attacking people in Sitapur.
“Our findings point more towards hyenas. They run faster, their jaws open wider and they have a higher ‘bite-force’ which can even break bones. A dog’s bite-force is much less and incapable of crushing bones. While attacking humans, dogs catch hold of heels or legs but hyenas go for the neck, the way a wild animal goes for the jugular vein in the neck,” she said.
To stop such attacks, Pandey said: “When villagers go to the fields near the forest, they should move in groups. Don’t allow anyone to remove or kill dogs of your villages as they are the ones who are protecting you.”
“We are thinking about moving court to stop killing of dogs in Sitapur. We have reports that over 100 dogs have been killed by villagers,” she added.