It seems the nightmare of Noida stray dogs and their caregivers has not yet ended. Days to come are likely to become worse. The Noida authority has two units of ABC centre under one roof in sector 94. These two centers cater to thousands of stray dogs who are brought for sterilization from Noida and greater noida. Needless to say the centre is quite small to manage such a huge population of stray dogs in the area.
The most logical and sensible thing for the municipal corporation of Noida to do was to open more ABC units and to create awareness about the ABC program and seek help of caregivers in getting the dogs sterilized and immunized against rabies but instead Noida authority is coming out with a unique dog park The largest park in India after one built in the state of Telangana. The same state where its municipal corporation had openly relocated its dogs. The dog park in Noida is being built in sector 137 on 3.85 acre land with Rs. 3.86 crores. The park is now on the verge of completion and shall be ready by Diwali the festival of light which is celebrated throughout India with great fervor and delight.
According to the Noida Authority OSD Vandana Tripathi this park will end all man dog conflict. The park will have all modern amenities like swimming pool, water fountain for drinking water, feeding stations, resting areas, medical facility etc... There shall be separate area for small and large dog.
The Noida Authority is also building eighteen shelter homes for stray dogs. This is being done to stop the man dog conflict. As a pilot project Initially only 4 shelters will be built where the dogs would be kept. And if the project shows good results then more shelters will be built.
It is very clear that the Noida authority has plans to remove the dogs from the societies and dump them in shelters. Is this the permanent solution they have come out which would end the man dog conflict? Nothing can be more absurd and foolish than this. The dogs will be used as a ginny pig in their pilot project. What a shame. The dog rules 2001 clearly says that dogs cannot be relocated but here the Noida authority who is entrusted to sterilize dogs is all set to dump the dogs in shelters.
There is a case going on in the honourable Supreme Court where the Kerala Govt is seeking permission from the court to remove ferocious dogs and kill them. Atleast the Kerala govt is waiting patiently for the Court to come out with its decision.
But here The Noida Authority didn't even bother to take any permission from.the court. They themselves have decided to make shelters and remove the dogs under their ambitious pilot project. If the dogs survive then more shelters and if not then........God knows....
If they really wanted the welfare of dogs then they could think of making dog houses for each dog separately in and around the residential society where the dogs live but making dog shelters and dumping them in it is no solution at all.
Researches have shown that healthy dogs kept in shelters go through stress and find it difficult to relax. Also they contract diseases. Hence, this shortens their life span. So the best way to give them a healthy life is to get them adopted.
There are many studies which have proven that shelters are not the best places for a healthy and a young dog. So the best way to give them a healthy life is to give them a home.
Unfortunately neither the Noida authority took the dog rules seriously which clearly prohibits dog relocation nor read through researchers who have already established a negative relationship between shelter and life span.of a dog, hence making shelters unfit for dogs.
Wonder on what grounds did the Noida Autnority take this decision? Did they take the permission of the AWBI? Nothing can be more nsane than this pilot project.
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Well in a country like India which still has a huge population which is poor and Uttar Pradesh is certainly not the richest state in India putting crores of money on dog park will certainly not be taken well amongst the masses. In Noida most of the pet owners are being harassed in and after this dog park they and their dogs would be expected to go in this park for their walks which is just not possible for all pet owners on a daily basis. Already many public parks in residential societies in Noida have been illegally banned for pets and after this dog park there will be more discrimination. Many caregivers are already fearing that people will start abandoning and relocating dogs both pet and stray in this dog park.
Wonder how will this park help change the negative mind set of dog haters?
Rather the 3.85 acre dog park should be converted into a stray cattle park. Cows and buffaloes are the worst affected in this mad rush of urbanization which is a piece of concrete jungle. They need plenty of green land to graze. The Noida authority will do a huge favour by converting this dog park into cattle sanctuary for the sick, anadoned and old cattles.
As far as stray dogs are concerned the ABC program is the only humane and legal method to sustain and control their population. And for that they need not be removed from their place. WHO came out with this most humane and scientific method to control stray dog population but unfortunately our municipal.corporations have failed to implement it in the right manner. And it's price is being paid by our voiceless and helpless souls.
Now only our judiciary can come to the rescue of these mute innocent souls who were first killed in Kerala and are now being prepared to be used as ginny pigs in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
The above information about the dog park and dog shelters was reported in the hindi news daily Jagran. To read the report kindly go on the link below: