On September 26 this year, Noida Authority appointed a Delhi-based pet hospital for the sterilisation project. So far, they say, they have operated on 380 dogs
Even as stray dogs continue to live a life of uncertainty, with newborn pups separated from lactating mothers and thrown out of societies, and the police doing little more than filing FIRs, City Spidey wonders if the only solution to the problem is an effective sterilisation programme.
According to residents of Noida, the number of stray dogs has increased in the city and, with it, cases of dog attacks. Noida Authority, they say, is not doing much about it.
“Once while shopping in Sector 37, my wife had to face a stray dog attack. She fell and broke her arm, and had to be taken to Fortis hospital for surgery. Ever since, I have been following the sterilisation of street dogs with Noida Authority, but nothing is really happening on that front,” recounted PR Chandna, RWA secretary of Mecon Apartments in Sector 62.
He added, “FONRWA [Federation of Noida RWAs] should pursue the matter with the authorities more stringently.”
SK Pandey, a resident of Sector 20, said, “Every sector has about 20 stray dogs. This number should be checked.”
On September 26 this year, Noida Authority appointed Delhi-based Dr Chawla’s Pet Hospital for the sterilisation project. As per the agreement, sterilisation workers have been given access to a hospital-cum-animal shelter in Sect or 94, Noida, to start work. This place is under the supervision of Noida Authority.
Earlier, sterilisation of stray dogs would be handled by the Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). But following an order issued by the UP government, the contract between Noida Authority and SPCA came to an end in June.
According to AN Dhawan, FONRWA secretary, SPCA carried out sterilisation at higher charges, asking for Rs 1,390 per dog. The pet hospital is currently charging Rs 770 per dog. Besides being costlier, there were other problems as well. “The SPCA caught the stray dogs but often did not conduct the surgery. They would just let off the dogs after two or three days,” he said.
But are things better now?
Dr Nischal Chaudhary, a vet at the shelter in Sector 94, told City Spidey that the sterilisation drive began in October 26. “Noida Authority asked us to sterilise at least 25 stray dogs every day, and so far, we have operated on 380 dogs. The dogs are kept in the hospital for about seven days for post-surgery care. After that, they are released in their home territory,” he added.
Only time will tell whether this sterilisation drive will help normalise the man-animal conflict in the city. Fingers crossed.
