Dog helped early humans to establish small colonies which eventually turned into early civilizations. Serbians from Bering Strait, Asian tribe like Athabascan and indigenous American tribes like Apache and Navajo could not have possibly survived without the help of Dogs. Domestication of Dogs has also been recorded in the glowing history of Indus Valley Civilization.
We have studied that dog is a multipurpose animal turned into pet for more than 15000 years or so. Since then man is using dog as a security guard to home, farms and cattle, also as a friend and now even in assisting military and helping physically challenged people.
Hence, Dogs are very well known as “Man’s Best Friend” but perhaps dogs don’t know that humans are also known as “Most Selfish Creature”
Today’s Indian stray dog was once used to live proudly under the shelter of his owner who has suddenly left it abandoned, and made completely dependent on the leftovers thrown away on road side. What else could be a better way to show gratitude for whatever these “once pets” had done for human societies.
But now it’s too much. We certainly cannot take more of their howling and barking, their littering and shitting anywhere, spoiling the beauty of our cities, they can even attack us and they already did it many a times before. They are totally intolerable and annoying. So, the best way of getting rid of them is just stop feeding them till they disappear one day. We don’t care about what dogs did to our great great great grandpa’s great grand pa, why would we care? After all what is the use of uncivilized animals between civilized human society?
Clueless of what I am talking about? Let me confess, I used to believe what I wrote in the paragraph above. You can call me a merciless person but that’s what I always used to think of stray dogs till one day I saw three bulky men with iron rods tied with iron wires catching stray dogs on road. They were hunting these animals and quickly they succeeded in trapping one poor dog. That animal was unusually screaming and bleeding from his mouth, fighting with those lifeless wires and rods, finally he gave up himself to those proud he-mans.
For many Udaipurites this could be a normal daily scene but it shook me from inside. My heart raised many questions which I wanted to ask you, the authority and the people of Udaipur.
Is this the only best way left to get rid of stray dogs?
How these stray dogs come back again?
Who is responsible of these crimes?
There are many more questions but I know that there is no one to answer; there is no one to react because there is no one who cares about it.
We are responsible of these oldest friends of ours; we made them pet and later named them a stray, we stopped feeding them but still unknowingly we feed them with our leftovers, we kill them for nothing. Still, we are not ashamed of our deeds against these innocent animals.
If stray dog is a problem then we ourselves are responsible for it. We don’t need animal welfare society or non government organizations; we need awareness and sense of responsibility towards everything going around our home, colony and city.
Such inhuman and cruel ways of treating innocent animals are unacceptable.
What you can do?
Think about it!
React, react at least from your thoughts.
Some Important facts about stray dogs in India
Over four billion rupees (close to $80m USD) worth of vaccines against rabies are being imported by the country every year.
Still
India has the highest number of human rabies deaths in the world (estimated at 35,000 per annum).
The breed of Indian stray dogs are known as Pariah or Indian Pariah, the term Pariah comes from Tamil Nadu, India where it designates a low caste “untouchable” community.
Now, let’s get back to the point. We seriously need to talk on this issue, even if you are not animal or pet lover but still if you really care about this poor, innocent and abandoned animal then share your views with all of us. We just need to start from somewhere, so why not from here?
Am glad Zaheer you brought this issue of the state of stray dogs in Udaipur. I think in India there aren’t too many NGO’s working for animal welfare, probably bcoz of lack of awareness eventually leading to lack of funds and in a smaller city its even worse.
In fact why go far, take Delhi’s example of how dogs, cows etc were left to die in the rain water. Nobody even bothered whether they were rescued or not. Infact while this was happening my mother told me something which is very true that in India ‘Insano ki kisso ko parwah nahi to janwar (like dogs, cows etc) to bahut dur ki baat hai’
In India, stray dog are really treated like kutta’s (sorry for the language). I have seen it myself, that people will kick or throw a stones on these dog for no rhyme or reason. As far as these Stray Dog Catchers are concerned, they aren’t humans. I have no words for people who lack humanity.
The picture in ur blog itself is so disturbing. I really wish all the dog lovers speak up and make a difference by at-least adopting one stray dog. charity begins at home. Its a small step but can really make a difference.
pls don’t delete my comment this time
Thanx
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Archana
Hii Archana, welcome back to UT after long, hey I already apologized for that mistake
Archana, thank you for putting up your views, stray dogs are not our problem, in fact we are big problem for stray dogs, I wonder how confused these animals would be , sometimes they get pampered by someone like you and sometimes they get stonned by someone like me.
Before adopting each stray dogs we should first teach people, specially school children and youth to behave humanly with these innocent creatures.
Zaheer.. You pointed out right.. Creating awareness and teaching kids ( gen next) about how to behave and treat animals is the single most important act to achieve the goal. We teach school kids about forest and wild animals but not about the animals they encounter in daily life i.e; stray dogs, cats, cows etc.
Its high time govt include animal welfare in the curriculum of the school books and train teachers to help kids understand that.
Thanks for calling Udaipurite’s attention to the way in which the nagar parishad are cruelly, not to mention, ILLEGALLY, capturing the street dogs in this awful manor and dumping them outside the city.
Like you say, the beautiful Indian Breed Dogs have been living alongside humans for thousands of years, but suddenly we humans over-populate the city, we bring in cars and motorbikes by the thousands, we cement the ground, we build house after house, we pollute the water, cut down the trees, and then we go so far as to drive out even the innocent dogs.
We never stop for a moment to think, “It’s their home too.”
You are right. Everyone must take responsibility for our deeds. We have destroyed nature. Our parents have destroyed nature. Our parents parents have destroyed nature.
I hope our generation can give back even a little of what we have stolen.
We can start by letting the dogs live! They deserve our respect after the miserable place we have forced them to live.
Thanks for the article which has been eye-opening for many readers .
Claire Abrams
Animal Aid Unlimited
I love animals, but also know that the stray dogs can be a real problem. When a pack decides to make a camp next to your home, and you are kept awake all night by their barking and howling, yes, you want to throw a rock. But I know there must be better ways. Certainly capturing unwanted dogs in a humane manner and maybe sterilizing them is an answer ? There must be a balance between love of animals and the very real dangers and problems posed to humans such as rabies.
Very true its always the Two legged Animal(HUMANS) which has caused trouble than the four legged ones.
Zaheer, u know what really bother’s me is that people have to be taught how to be human, have feelings, care and concern for animals. Am not talking about kids bcoz we are their role models. Am just saying that doesnt it hurt to see animals being ill treated.
I cry more when an animal dies in a movie than when a human.
Anyways i really think your suggestion of teaching children can really do wonders, bcoz in any case to change adults is quite a task so mite as well make the gennext more awared and educated.
Just hope that things get better.
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Archana
Confusing state of affairs here! Stray dogs are surely a safety concern, specially in a pack – in my colony it is becoming very unsafe for senior citizens to take a walk or the children to play without fear of being attacked! On the other hand UMC has very brutal way of catching these animals.
Animal Aid is doing their bit and so is UMC.
Teaching school children to be more humane towards these situations is a good idea. I am willing to provide the platform in my school, just call 2431825 for taking the cause further. Regarding the un-conventional method used by UMC, who is willing to put in an application under the Right to Information Act 2005? The information required would be:
1. Is catching stray animals under the legal jurisdiction of UMC? if yes then please give the relevant rule/bye-law of UMC.
2. What are the methods/procedures being employed by UMC to catch these animals?
3. Do above methods confirm to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960?
Zaheer and all above, you have touched a raw nerve in me and believe me it hurts.
vijay
hi Vijay,
As per the PCA ACT, 1960, as well as the Dog Rules Act, catching stray dogs in a way that physically hurts them is illegal.
More than that, catching the dogs and then dumping them outside the city where there is no medical care, no food, no water, no shelter, is against the law all over India.
The central gov. passed these laws, so it is not a state issue. The UMC is acting against the law, for which the Animal Welfare Board of India has visited Udaipur TWICE to meet with collector and comissioner to stop the brutal catching and dumping, and to implement a nasbandi (sterilization) program…. but the UMC is uninterested in finding a long-term solution to the stray dog problem but continue the short term and brutal “solution” that involves seriously injuring the dogs.
It is really great to see that Udaipurites are so much concerned about Stray Dogs. But sometimes I see that pet dogs are living more miserable life than these stray dogs. Very few owners keep their pets properly. Rest are so ignorant towards it that I feel pets are having more miserable life. Such owners really don’t deserve to have pets.
Another thing I would like to point out that, it was bit surprising to see people talking about cruelty against stray dogs. While you see, they still wear leather shoes, have leather purse, animal fur etc. I mean, most of the people buy leather knowingly/unknowingly of its origin. Is this not cruelty. Do these people even know how leather is made. An animal’s skin is ripped while it is alive !!! Same case with mutton and chickens. Haven’t you people seen goats and chickens in farms.. How brutally they are kept.
But being as a common man, we believe only in blaming and blaming. Since it was easy to blame another person, so we put it in news. What about the cruelty we are doing. It is also unforgiving. Why don’t we blame ourself first!!!
Very good that Udaipurtimes have brought this issue forward, I have seen the same thing happening in Ashok nagar few days back in our colony, n I went to thm n rescued that dog saying tht its of our colony, I ws sooo hurt to see the dog after they left him, the rods almost broke the bones of the dog….with very difficulty dog managed to crawl to a corner of the road, i felt so depressed the whole day tht I don even went out of home n was feeling very bad for wht happened to the dog…..
I tried searching nos. of the person whome can be contacted to stop these basterds from doing the in-human things….but I did not get any…
Rather than everyody discussing on the posts like this would not help, see if we can 2gther sumhow get some details where we can complain and save these animals……..i love pets and cant see any pet exploited like this!!! Thanks Udaipurtimes atleast you guys also observed the same thing…………but would appreciate if you can help bringing this cause further ahead….!!!thnx!!
I agree with this article, but we all are again only expressing our thoughts n concerns!! not really getting up n doing. We have to spread awareness not amongst people like you n me, but the lower middle class section, they r the ones who teach their kids at the age of 2 onwards to be scared of dogs or to ill treat dogs. I’ve seen young kids poke dogs or hit them, n its cute maybe when they r young but that’s what they are growing up with!! we cant keep writing about it and feeling bad we need to do something. I live in Bombay and I am actively doing things to stop this from happening. I think we need to start bringing awareness about simple things like dogs only attack when threatened in any way. They like to smell cus thats the only way they can understand u cus they cant talk. they jump on u cus its love, this is the only way they can show all this. So lets start becoming knowledgeable about dogs as a breed of animals, facts about them, n then teach the people who work in ur house, start from there, tell people in colonies, get people to adopt starys they have longer lives n fall less sick!!!
Its funny how 7038 people like Udaipur Times but there are only 44 people who removed time and read this article. How many of these will ever get up, protect and comfort man’s best friends? We have a brain that just thinks about filling our stomach but not kindness of ever sharing and giving…..Last I checked we are children of the heros who gave away lives for our freedom!
Wow you guys are absolute…HYPOCRITES ..I mean all the big talks about how inhuman is it to treat the street dogs in such manner and blah blah. But none of you even bothered to adopt one of these dogs and pet them. I mean you would rather do charity than give away rights. why don’t each of you go and get a stray dog and really adopt them rather than throwing away foods to them?? I am from kolkata and street dogs can be a real pain in the ass. they chase people, bite people, snatch their food. And people instead of getting them rid off street they act with sympathy, but if that same person is asked to adopt a dog they freak out and ‘curl back their tails’ . I just want to walk in the streets safely and the govt. needs to make sure that a person can do that, even if that requires killing some dogs. And if the dog lovers are so worried take the dogs to your own home
really nice….u guys are really doing fabulous work
really nice….u guys are really doing fabulous work
This is good that you had brought this issue.Most of the people are inhuman they doesnt bother what is happening around. I myself care for stray dogs very much give them food,shelter and even call animal aid when they are injured. If people are so much bothered about themselves that they would be infected from diseases steps should be taken by the government to get them vaccinated and give them food and shelter. I see that some people purposely harm animals which is very inhuman. Hope one day will come when people start loving animals and stop creulty and govt. would take some steps to help those innocent animals
This is good that you had brought this issue.Most of the people are inhuman they doesnt bother what is happening around. I myself care for stray dogs very much give them food,shelter and even call animal aid when they are injured. If people are so much bothered about themselves that they would be infected from diseases steps should be taken by the government to get them vaccinated and give them food and shelter. I see that some people purposely harm animals . Hope one day will come when people start loving animals and stop creulty and govt. would take some steps to help those innocent animals
Wow you guys are absolute…HYPOCRITES ..I mean all the big talks about how inhuman is it to treat the street dogs in such manner and blah blah. But none of you even bothered to adopt one of these dogs and pet them. I mean you would rather do charity than give away rights. why don’t each of you go and get a stray dog and really adopt them rather than throwing away foods to them?? I am from kolkata and street dogs can be a real pain in the ass. they chase people, bite people, snatch their food. And people instead of getting them rid off street they act with sympathy, but if that same person is asked to adopt a dog they freak out and ‘curl back their tails’ . I just want to walk in the streets safely and the govt. needs to make sure that a person can do that, even if that requires killing some dogs. And if the dog lovers are so worried take the dogs to your own home
Reply
Hello,
I totally agree with you..I have one thing to tell those barbarians who kill these innocent dogs that its not the stray dogs who kill people or rape women, if you really want to do some good to the society then kill those f***in monsters first. Strays own this earth as much as we do…so live and let live.
Zaheer, keep up the good work..!
I think a s well that awareness is the most important. When people are bitten it also is often because they don’t have any idea about the behavior of dogs. If I would be chased and thrown stones at, I probably would also start defending me and be suspicous towards any human. And when children do the same it is no wonder, when one day a dog bites. But there are many dogs who prefer to go away then defending themselves. In school there should be taught how to behave towards a dog (not staring in the eyes, not disturbing his sleep, not taking away his food, not running away from him. Just leave him alone and ignore).
I think it would be a good idea if each street looks after its dogs. Letting them be castrated (that makes them less agressive), giving them regularly food and in return you will get great guardians and loyal friends.
The dog catchers are just people who want to earn their money and the animals they catch are not at all important to them, they just want to finish their work however. Those people must be trained to properly catch those animals and maybe also explained that the animals are living creatures like they are. I suppose they wouldn’t like to be treated like that. And anyway the dogs should only be caught for ABC ?
I mean that the dogs are strays is not their fault, they surely didn’t choose this situation. That is as usual the fault of the human who abandoned them (not castrated of course). If the human would take more responsibility all that would not have happened. The animals are at the mercy of the human and I think they have a right to be on earth as well.
And…. yes, I adopted an Indian Stray years ago and I am very happy with him, he is a wonderful dog. And…. yes, I am visiting India regularly and I have met a lot of strays and I never met an agressive one, maybe because I was patient with them? And – I work in an Indian shelter each year and I see how those animals are suffering – and never one dog was agressive towards me….