RTI reply reveals lacuna in controlling the stray dogs
26 Sep, 2012
Incidents of bites by stray dogs and injuries to the residents, especially children and elderly, while trying to escape from dogs are not uncommon all over the country.
At its recent meeting, the Health Committee of the Coimbatore Corporation has, proposed the construction of the second animal birth control (ABC) operation centre in Ukkadam following an increase in area and population leading to number of wards from 72 to 100. An urgent need was felt to increase the number of centres to control stray dog population for which an area of one acre has been sought by the Veterinary Officer. The sanctioned amount of Rs. 25 lakh could not be used for establishment of the ABC operation centre in Ukkadam.
In response to an application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Joint Director of Animal Husbandry has replied that he was yet to get details about the actions panchayats, town panchayats and the municipalities had taken about the dog menace in the districts of Tamilnadu. Only the Coimbatore Corporation had responded with the figures.
An application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act has revealed that panchayats, town panchayats, municipalities and the Coimbatore Corporation need to work harder for tackling street dog menace. None of the local bodies said that it had received any complaint regarding dog menace. In February 2012, the appellant had lodged a complaint with the district Collector about dog menace in the district and sought action by panchayats, town panchayats, municipalities and the Coimbatore Corporation. In May, 2012 he filed an application under the RTI Act seeking information about the action taken. It was informed that the concerned officials had not forwarded to appropriate authority for action. The applicant has requested the Collector to look into the matter and issue necessary instructions to the panchayat, town panchayat and municipality officials to address the street dog issue on a priority basis.