City street goes to the dogs

City street goes to the dogs
BY SUDHA HEGDE
BANGALORE








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Going in and out of one’s home should be easy. But for residents of Yellamma Temple street in New Thippasandra, it’s like stepping into a horror movie. Except, it’s all too real. The street is ‘owned’ by over 15 stray dogs who harrass the residents of this street, particularly the young.

After a dog bit a child on the street some months ago, parents have kept their children home and stopped them from playing on the streets. A fifth grade boy Rohit was seriously injured when a pack of dogs pounced on him when he was returning home from school. It is not just Rohit, there are at least five others who have reportedly been attacked by the strays over the past six months.

Besides biting people, the strays bark at and scare pedestrians and chase motorists. Particularly dangerous for drivers of twowheelers. “The dogs also enter our building, tear the milk packets that the milkman keeps outside the door and drink up all the milk,” said Rama Rai, a housewife in the area.

The strays chase motorists and cyclists and hound pedestrians carrying food, even if it’s wrapped in plas tic. One of the residents of the road A. Balakrishna said a small stretch of 75 meters is home to at least 15 dogs. It has virtually turned into a dog pound. These strays would be vociferous during night and would not let the residents sleep peacefully. “Stray dogs rule the roost at Thippasandra. They feast on garbage dumped on road side.” Dr.S.S.Walli, physician and professor at Ambedkar Medical College is terrified of the stray dog hazard and has called the stray dog helpline twice asking they take control of the situation.

“The population of stray dogs is rising. The puppies and dogs that die here lie in the drains. Most are infected with disease and are a threat to the public health,” he said. Suguna, a housewife lives on the edge as both her husband and son have been attacked by the dogs. “We are an easy target when they go wild. Because of them children have to remain indoors all the time even during the holidays”, she says.

Residents said they are wary of getting out of the house at night. “When I went out at 2 am the other day, a dog sprung out from nowhere, pounced on me and scratched me. I have not ventured out late ever since,” said Rajanna, a 61 year-old man. “We have nothing against dogs but something needs to be done to deal with this problem. The dogs here bite and chase us without any provocation.” Jagannath, the deputy director incharge, animal husbandry division of BBMP says “we are trying hard to check the menace. The co-operation of the public is essential to find the solution. When dog catchers start to chase the dogs they hide in the drains where we can’t reach them. We have limitations. But we are using all available measures to end the problem.