Dogs dominate Dhaka streets

Encountering a pair of dogs lying astride a crowded footpath in utter nonchalance is now a day-to-day scene in Dhaka. Many people walking past the dogs at times bump into them only to be taken aback. The animals, street dogs in common parlance, make a faint growl if they want to or may spare the startled pedestrians. Things take a different turn if the persons are women, especially with small children. In that case a scene filled with terrified cries and barks of the befuddled dogs ensues invariably. It's total chaos. Of late, this spectacle comprising these canines and the people afraid of them is encountered in every part of the capital. Street dogs are now everywhere. They are found roaming in both the densely populated areas and so-called posh neighbourhoods. If not on the move, the dogs are found asleep in groups alongside a road or in front of a shop or beside the very gate of a residence.

Who own these dogs? Obviously they are born free, with no masters to guide or look after them. Theoretically, the two city corporations should deal with the matter when it comes to street dogs in Dhaka. That's what has been seen in the past in this city. Regular campaigns to cull these dogs occupied a major place in the list of the then Dhaka Municipality's priority jobs. The city used to be cleared of these nuisance-creating animals on regular basis. Thanks to these campaigns, Dhaka and the other cities would remain largely free of the diseases and maladies spread by stray dogs. The anti-dog squads were seen in operation even a decade back. Instead of freeing Dhaka of the street dogs, the two city corporations have put in place a unique programme: dog sterilisation and dog vaccination against rabies. According to the corporation authorities, the first measure neuters the male dogs meaning they can't sire pups. And, thus, the number of dogs will keep dwindling to reach a point of zero-level procreation. Animal rights activists were obviously happy with the plan's implementation. Many developed misgivings, given the shoddy style of carrying out projects in the country. Their premonitions proved true when the number of Dhaka's stray dogs did not see any remarkable cut. Mother dogs lying with their puppies are still a common spectacle in the capital. The maturing of the baby-dogs into adult ones doesn't take much time. Soon they become part of the existing packs of street dogs.

The alarming rise in the number of stray dogs has lately become a cause of worry for the city-dwellers. Given the virtual absence of any effective measure to cut the dog populations, the worry assumed the proportion of a great urban malady. In place of the earlier dog culling, the corporation authorities launched the 'animal-friendly' drive. The fact that what works properly in many fast-developing countries might fail in Bangladesh has not occurred to them. The dog-sterilisation has, obviously, not worked well in Dhaka. Isolated cases of rabies caused by dog bites are also there. Critics point the finger at systemic faults and inefficiencies like the problems prevailing in many such projects. In the meantime, the street dogs show their pervasive presence in every part of the city. With their number galloping unabated, the previously annoying animals have lately turned a threatening presence. Apart from the cases of rabies caused by their bites, the street dogs are increasingly becoming a dread for children and women. Moreover, hungry dogs climbing stairs and rummaging in garbage pots kept outside upper floor apartments are now a normal scene in some city areas. This is atrocious to say the least.      

[email protected]