The Times of India             06.01.2014

Stray dogs hamper life in Race Course

COIMBATORE: It is considered one of the most well planned and posh localities in the city. Apart from residents, a large number of people from across the city regularly come to Race Course, either for their morning exercise or to catch up with friends on the concrete benches and metallic chairs provided along the walking/jogging track.

However, the stray dogs roaming the area, often close to the track and inner roads of the locality, is now posing a serious threat to joggers and residents alike, especially during the early morning and late evening hours.

"None of us are against dogs. In fact, most residents are canine lovers. But we just do not want to be bitten by stray dogs. There has to be some check on them.

The scariest part is that they move around in packs and can sometimes be seen chasing children on bicycles," said Sujani Bala, President, Race Course Residents and Neighbhorhood Association (RANA)

According to most walkers, the dogs are more commonly found near the bus stop adjacent to the cluster of eateries and the Southern India Engineering Manufacturers Association (SIEMA) building and on the other end where the Race Course Road deviates, heading towards the district court complex.

"There are a few dogs that always move about in a pack close to the walking track. They usually come out late in the evening and loiter around till morning.

During the day they mostly stay behind the bushes along the walking track or roam in the inner lanes," said C Easwarachandran, a real estate mediator and a regular evening walker for the last 20 years in Race Course.

Pedestrians walking along the route at night are also forced to endure the stray dog menace as once vehicular and public movement slows down, these dogs get bolder and start foraging for leftover waste and garbage dumped in the bins before it is cleared from the spot.

"Dogs and mosquitoes have a free reign late evening. Nothing is being done to control them," said N Santhanam, an auto rickshaw driver who has been servicing the area for the past four years.

V Lawrence, a businessman and a resident of Race Course said that dogs regularly roam in the area. R Sreevatsan, an evening walker at Race Course from Singanallur also spoke about the nuisance of stray dogs in the area.

However, a section of people who frequent the Race Course locality say that dogs should not be harmed. They claimed that the dogs have become familiar with the sight of groups of people regularly walking in the area.

"Yes, there are some stray dogs here. But they should not be harmed as they are accustomed with the presence of people and have not caused any serious harm so far," said VB Padmanabhan, a senior citizen in Race Course.

City corporation commissioner G Latha said that the corporation would intensify its birth control program and ensure that it could control the population of stray dogs in the city.

"We are also planning to intensify the operations with the two dog catching units that will be deployed in the city," Latha added.