The Pioneer 23.09.2010
Evicted from Village, stray dogs get new refugeParvaiz Sultan | New Delhi
Dog lovers in the Capital can heave a sigh of relief as the authorities have come together to take care of stray dogs moving around the Commonwealth Games Village and other venues. After animal lovers expressed their concern over possible ill-treatment of dogs in the vicinity of Games site following reports of sighting of the canines straying into the Games Village, the Delhi Government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has roped in a city based NGO to hold the dogs in its shelter, where they will be fed and looked after properly till the Games are over.
The animal lover also criticised people who are making a hue and cry over the matter. “The issue is blown out of proportion. Dogs do not hang around aimlessly usually. They move around in search of food. If they will not find something, he or she will leave the place. There are exceptions also. There will be security at Games village and stadia and kitchen at Games village will not be exposed or opened so there will be no question of canines entering the area after a point of time again,” said Gautam Barat of Friendicoes.
In an informal communiqué to Friendicoes SECA (Society for the Eradication of Cruelty to Animals), the civic body has requested to pick up homeless canines from Games venues especially the Games village and keep them temporarily till October 15. Gautam Barat of Friendicoes confirmed ‘The Pioneer’ though the organisation will start holding them from Thursday as requested by the administration.
Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta said 20 dogs were spotted in the Games Village on Wednesday and all of them have been moved out. “There are still around 35 dogs at the site. They will also be moved away. The veterinary department will be monitoring the venue round the clock,” he said.
“We could not pick up the dogs from CWG village on Wednesday as planned due to the proposed visit of top brass of the Games. We will initiate the drive from Thursday onwards. We will catch the community dogs and hold with us till the international event is over successfully. We will keep them in our shelter in Defence Colony. After shifting them to our shelter, the animals will also be sterilised and released back in their respective territories,” said the co-founder of the organisation. Barat also said that Friendicoes will surely extend a helping hand to the Government, after all the Games are a matter of prestige and nation’s pride.
Municipal Commissioner KS Mehra also confirmed the move, “The prime concern of MCD is dogs well being. We want them to be in good condition. We have been sterilisation the stray dogs under Animal Birth Control programme for years. As per the wishes of friends of animals, we are doing so. They will be released back to their areas after neutralisation.”
