Kashif Ali Article Killing of stray Dogs

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Article

Killing of stray Dogs

( Rabies and the question of Animal rights violation? )

Writer’s name, roll number and category of writing is missing

It is been almost a month since the news about dog biting and the cases of dog biting is being published and aired on different media groups whether they are digital media or print media. In fact since the previous couple of months the cases of dog biting are became doubled than the last 15 years, so we need to find out the reasons behind the increasing number of cases and how to keep people safe from these dangerous situations and which precautions we might need to apply to keep ourselves away from diseases. Since from the previous 15 years  The government and local authorities are continuously driving the campaigns to kill the mad dogs and stray dogs to decrease the probabilities of such cases, but the question is do they are violating the animal rights? We will try to discuss the issue with some information that what should we do and what is the solution to decrease cases of Rabies which causes by the result of mad dog bite.

When the mad dog bites the virus transfers through saliva called “Rabies” which mostly drove infected peoples to death those who don’t get treatment on certain time. In the world where we live people around us thinks that Rabies can only be caused by Mad Dog’s bite. But many of us are unaware that there are some other reasons which can cause Rabies. Like Australian bats, animal scratches or bites, and saliva of infected animal.

Animals can also transmit Rabies if the saliva comes into contact with the eyes, mouth, or nose. Globally the dogs are the most common animal involved in Rabies in countries or Asia especially in Pakistan and India. More than 99% cases of Rabies are the direct result of dog biting.

In 1885, Louis Pasteur and Emile reux developed an Antidote vaccine for Rabies. To prevent Rabies or any other diseases causing by Animals and pets following tips can help reduce the risks of contracting:

·         Vaccinating Dogs , Cats and ferrets against Rabies

·         Keeping pets under supervision and Keep your children’s away from them

·         Not handling wild animals strays

·         If bitten by animal wash the wound with soap for 15 to 20 minutes and immediately  contact the doctor

But in countries like Pakistan above given tips are less helpful as the population of stray dogs are increasing by every passing day. We witnessed a series of protests from the last couple of years after Government, local government and city authorities announced the campaign of culling stray dogs. The official stated that they receive complaints and only after complainant signs a document, we kill the dog roaming around area. Killing of the stray and mad dogs also raise the question that is this is the only way to decrease population and disease which causes by dogs, also the question of Animal rights rises here as well. Animal rights societies and vets believe that definitely there is an alternative to killing. They say “we can deal with the issue by organizing workshops where we can sterilize dogs. However this project is quite expensive so they demand authorities to join their hands and by this not to violate animal rights.

This is the concern that dogs can cause Rabies and other fatal diseases but killing them is absolutely not a solution. We have to learn to co-exist with dogs that are also part of our surroundings. Animal welfare societies in Pakistan like Pakistan animal welfare society (PAWs) and Rabies free Karachi (RFK) are been working to raise awareness about animal rights from past 15 years. In December 2018, the petition was filed in Islamabad high court over killing of stray dogs. The petition argued that the killing of stray dogs will not reduce the threat of Rabies and other diseases but can be counter produce and increase the health risks. The Islamabad high court ordered the authorities to respond fortnight and stop the killing mass shooting of stray dogs.

As reported of 2018, every year around 7000 to 8000 stray dogs are shot dead only in Islamabad. In 2016, Karachi Municipal Corporation culled a total 1050 dogs following complaints about animals biting women’s and children’s. In Pakistan’s constitution there is a section with name of section 17 of the prevention of cruelty to animal’s act 1890 to be declared unlawful.         

Furthermore, if we talk about the increasing numbers of dogs by every passing day which posing threat of Rabies. Dogs can be seen in every town and cities but those areas are special breeding points where storm water drains are situated. The breeding/mating season of dogs starts from October and ends around January.

Dogs dwell at places where they can get food easily that’s the reason why dog s can be found in large number at the large garbage dumps and other similar places. A bitch typically gets pregnant twice a year and can produce five to 12 puppies in the period.

It is a concern that till date Rabies killed 25000 peoples globally but killing the stray dogs and poisoned them is not a solution to a problem. Besides killing stray dogs through the traditional techniques of feeding them poisonous capsules or shooting, their number can also be controlled through castration of male dogs. This is the method preferred by most animal right groups and vets which claims killing or poison dogs is cruel and lead to other problems.

This technique would need anesthesia worth 100 rupees and blades to operate the stray dogs to control their birth rate. This solution somehow would resolve the problem of Rabies and increasing birth rate for once and for all whereas poisoning or shooting is only a temporary solution.