When I was a child, growing up in a not so affluent area in Calcutta (no, not Kolkata), there were two kinds of kids. Those who would stone and maim puppies, and those who would shelter and protect them. I was in the latter group, always there to take a mutt home from a cruel world.
As a 6 year old boy, what surprised me the most was how could one be so cruel, so inhuman to the little stray who would wag its tail and come to you unsuspectingly, only to be whacked on the face.
30 years later, in a different world called Bangalore, it seems not much has changed. We have all grown up, but so has the demon inside us. When I read the articles and the hate, it makes me wonder.
Is the dog really such an evil animal, diabolical and ferocious, out to kill children and bite unsuspecting uncles? Are these not the same brown eyed beauties who have never shown any malice to anyone I know?
I am not with any “organization” that is there helping dogs out there, although I respect their commitment and work. But I have had the misfortune of seeing the “heroic” dog-catchers at work, and what they are doing to the docile creatures who come to them when called. The ferocious ones are not caught as the hired killers have no guts to go after them. Pets with collars. Ear-clipped neutered good natured animals. Does not matter - for Rs.50, anything canine is fair game.
I saw what the authorities call humane culling happen - boulders crushing skulls, throats slit, clubbing and suffocating. Stood shaking, looking at how casually a man could kill a little brown female obviously crying in pain, blow by blow by blow. But for the restraining arms around me, there would have been more violence that day.
To me, personally, its terrible that 2 kids died. I have a 2 year old daughter, and I can feel the pain. But what is happening now is unthinkable. Its like a city gone wild, in blood thirst. People who have never had to face a stray, never petted one, are out passing judgements from their cubicles, trying to be a wannabe Singapore, as if the stray dogs are holding them back. Congratulations when you get there - I hope its worth the trade-off you are doing for your heart.
Just by walking erect, eating with hands and doing programming one does not become human. If the sight of little animals being butchered does not move you, then you do not deserve the tag anyway.
Its a sign of the intolerance that is now become so common. 10 years ago, a leopard straying in a village would be caught and handed over to the zoo. Today it is clubbed senseless and then burnt to death.
Tomorrow, as prescribed by Bangalore, hunters will be sent into the forests to exterminate them.
And the tigers, and the elephants…and the “untouchables”, the poor, the minorities. Because they are weaker, are different.
It’s extremely unfortunate that the stray dog menace issue has shifted to wholly new realm of “killing of innocent” dogs.
The way our civic administrators and politicians have behaved isn’t so surprising. This issue, like many others, is also being handled in a reactionary method rather than a constructive and positive manner.
Can’t our administration and NGOs not find a humane way of ridding our streets of stary dogs? Yes, animals shouldn’t be killed. But why no one is NOT taking an alternative method?
Sometimes I feel, nothing goes right in this city. Other day there was an article stating BMP captured 400+ dogs in the vicinity of Vijayanagar and I happen to visit the area over the last weekend. To my surprise, the area has many more dogs now than couple of weeks ago.
The stray dogs are attacking only children at this moment and I guess attacking adults not too far away unless BMP takes quick action.
If you animal lovers are so much concerned about the welfare dogs atleast take few of the stray dogs and take care of them in your houses or generate funds and provide them housing. Where are these so called animal lovers when these stray dogs bite people. If one walks in the middle of night there will be atleast 20 dogs chasing. The number of dogs on the road are to be reduced either through giving them shelter outside city or culling them
Like the last post.. I think ‘Save the stray dog’ supporters need to either volunteer to take the pets home, or atleast pay for upkeep of a dog or two. While I do wish more humane methods were used to kill the dogs, someone has to think of a better ( and yet practical) way.
By the way, seals are culled similarly by Canada..(if they cant think of something better.. I dont expect BMA to come up with something either..)
By the way Anirban, jeremey, Chitra…. maybe time to do more than just use a blog or a digital camera. Money does talk - so how about collecting enough to support say 20 dogs for 2-3 yrs. That would include the CVNR, kennels, food.. and someone to look after them !
( no Rs.100/- does not cut it, nor does 1 hr at the local ‘ahimisa’ outfit.)
Hi people, welcome to my blog. I read all your comments. I appreciate you taking the time to either agree or disagree.
BTW, I have written this piece here as well. Please read. http://bangalore.metblogs.com/archives/2007/03/new_kids_on_the_block.phtml
We are responsible for these dogs. I will get them vaccinated if the pups are still on the road after a few days. We give them some food and let them stay where they are. The dogs are exceptionally nice to my kids, which is where we benefit. The kids (2 and 4 yrs old) thoroughly enjoy the playing with the pups and the mommy dog. I cannot see how else I could possibly have taught my kids compassion and kindness.
hey chitra, i chanced upon your blog via metblogs and i am grateful because something good came out my wasted time there.
if you need anything, please do feel free to contact us at http://catsofbangalore.blogspot.com. the mother dog needs to be sterilised as soon as her pups are weaned. the puppies too have to be vaccinated and sterilised. they can be done relatively early these days. if those who will be adopting the pups cannot afford to do that, we’ll see what we can do.
the pups are adorable! the mother needs lots of water and a little more food…especially because of the extra calories she’ll be needing because she’s still lactating. thank you taking care of them and thank you for caring
Jellicles, the black pup was killed in an accident this morning. He died soon after without bleeding. A scooter went on his tummy, he squeaked and ran. He lied down and slowly died. The mom barked and barked, to no use! Someone has already taken away the white pup. So, she has neither of her kids now. When she barked, there came another dog, and if I am not wrong, I think he is the dad. The white pup looked exactly like him! So many of us are so upset right now. Very sad.
I have contacted Yasmine for sterilizing the dad and the mom
The killing of innocent kids by the stray dogs is really heart- rending. But killing every dog on street isn’t the solution while the root-cause is not dealt at all. If the moronic butchers around have called for this problem, they have to realize that they have roused the natural animal instinct of feeding on raw flesh and stop dumping their wastes into nearby open spaces. Can the administrators use the thin wire to catch the senseless butchers around and put some sense into them?
-Sandhya
Comment by Sandhya Kashyap — March 16, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
It’s sad that humans are the only barbaric species who systematically destroy life all around them. I’m in the US right now and just heard this news from my parents. I’m ashamed to call myself a Bangalore girl anymore…..and am this close [] to flying back to help those poor dogs. No wonder India is the way it is, we should haul our so called ‘leaders’ by their legs and render the same treatment to them as they are these animals. I would personally start with those barbaric ‘dog catchers’. Give them a taste of their own medicine. For lack of a better word to call the people responisble, I can only think of a choice few…..MFs
Sandhya, Anon, welcome to my blog. Yes, what happened was very sad. But, now it looks like everything has come to a stand still. I am not sure if they are pondering over the issue or if they have moved on to something else without solving this one. Lets see.
i hope some of us can do some real things…. pls… y cant v go speak in homes direct…’m ready…. need some like minded ppl…. ‘m also worried at ppls apathy toward gvrmts no englis in school here… y r ppl here insensitiv n indifferen… cant v all jus try to break out our own shackles….. anyon with real want : pls mail yeshop@gmail.com
n i do agreee with the anonymous’ comments… no pt preachin out noble ideas… v need do somethin solid…. not 4 the sake of it… but oly v can… hey shake out n come on…
Not sure if it is good or bad. Now don’t get me wrong here - I said good ‘coz they are not worrying about bombs going off every day but instead are able to talk about dogs and other issues. Bad - obviously ‘coz of what the dogs have to go through.
Now - back to Bangalore. Any idea how the stray situation these days is in Bangalore? Seems to be a lot better in my neighborhood at least.
When I was a child, growing up in a not so affluent area in Calcutta (no, not Kolkata), there were two kinds of kids. Those who would stone and maim puppies, and those who would shelter and protect them. I was in the latter group, always there to take a mutt home from a cruel world.
As a 6 year old boy, what surprised me the most was how could one be so cruel, so inhuman to the little stray who would wag its tail and come to you unsuspectingly, only to be whacked on the face.
30 years later, in a different world called Bangalore, it seems not much has changed. We have all grown up, but so has the demon inside us. When I read the articles and the hate, it makes me wonder.
Is the dog really such an evil animal, diabolical and ferocious, out to kill children and bite unsuspecting uncles? Are these not the same brown eyed beauties who have never shown any malice to anyone I know?
I am not with any “organization” that is there helping dogs out there, although I respect their commitment and work. But I have had the misfortune of seeing the “heroic” dog-catchers at work, and what they are doing to the docile creatures who come to them when called. The ferocious ones are not caught as the hired killers have no guts to go after them. Pets with collars. Ear-clipped neutered good natured animals. Does not matter - for Rs.50, anything canine is fair game.
I saw what the authorities call humane culling happen - boulders crushing skulls, throats slit, clubbing and suffocating. Stood shaking, looking at how casually a man could kill a little brown female obviously crying in pain, blow by blow by blow. But for the restraining arms around me, there would have been more violence that day.
To me, personally, its terrible that 2 kids died. I have a 2 year old daughter, and I can feel the pain. But what is happening now is unthinkable. Its like a city gone wild, in blood thirst. People who have never had to face a stray, never petted one, are out passing judgements from their cubicles, trying to be a wannabe Singapore, as if the stray dogs are holding them back. Congratulations when you get there - I hope its worth the trade-off you are doing for your heart.
Just by walking erect, eating with hands and doing programming one does not become human. If the sight of little animals being butchered does not move you, then you do not deserve the tag anyway.
Its a sign of the intolerance that is now become so common. 10 years ago, a leopard straying in a village would be caught and handed over to the zoo. Today it is clubbed senseless and then burnt to death.
Tomorrow, as prescribed by Bangalore, hunters will be sent into the forests to exterminate them.
And the tigers, and the elephants…and the “untouchables”, the poor, the minorities. Because they are weaker, are different.
And do not conform. Hence, easy prey…
Comment by Anirban — March 13, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
It’s extremely unfortunate that the stray dog menace issue has shifted to wholly new realm of “killing of innocent” dogs.
The way our civic administrators and politicians have behaved isn’t so surprising. This issue, like many others, is also being handled in a reactionary method rather than a constructive and positive manner.
Can’t our administration and NGOs not find a humane way of ridding our streets of stary dogs? Yes, animals shouldn’t be killed. But why no one is NOT taking an alternative method?
Comment by Pradeep — March 13, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
Sometimes I feel, nothing goes right in this city. Other day there was an article stating BMP captured 400+ dogs in the vicinity of Vijayanagar and I happen to visit the area over the last weekend. To my surprise, the area has many more dogs now than couple of weeks ago.
The stray dogs are attacking only children at this moment and I guess attacking adults not too far away unless BMP takes quick action.
Comment by Anonymous — March 13, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
If you animal lovers are so much concerned about the welfare dogs atleast take few of the stray dogs and take care of them in your houses or generate funds and provide them housing. Where are these so called animal lovers when these stray dogs bite people. If one walks in the middle of night there will be atleast 20 dogs chasing. The number of dogs on the road are to be reduced either through giving them shelter outside city or culling them
Comment by Anonymous — March 14, 2007 @ 4:46 pm
Like the last post.. I think ‘Save the stray dog’ supporters need to either volunteer to take the pets home, or atleast pay for upkeep of a dog or two. While I do wish more humane methods were used to kill the dogs, someone has to think of a better ( and yet practical) way.
By the way, seals are culled similarly by Canada..(if they cant think of something better.. I dont expect BMA to come up with something either..)
By the way Anirban, jeremey, Chitra…. maybe time to do more than just use a blog or a digital camera. Money does talk - so how about collecting enough to support say 20 dogs for 2-3 yrs. That would include the CVNR, kennels, food.. and someone to look after them !
( no Rs.100/- does not cut it, nor does 1 hr at the local ‘ahimisa’ outfit.)
Comment by Anonymous — March 14, 2007 @ 4:46 pm
Hi people, welcome to my blog. I read all your comments. I appreciate you taking the time to either agree or disagree.
BTW, I have written this piece here as well. Please read. http://bangalore.metblogs.com/archives/2007/03/new_kids_on_the_block.phtml
We are responsible for these dogs. I will get them vaccinated if the pups are still on the road after a few days. We give them some food and let them stay where they are. The dogs are exceptionally nice to my kids, which is where we benefit. The kids (2 and 4 yrs old) thoroughly enjoy the playing with the pups and the mommy dog. I cannot see how else I could possibly have taught my kids compassion and kindness.
Once again, thanks for the time!
Comment by Chitra — March 14, 2007 @ 4:46 pm
hey chitra, i chanced upon your blog via metblogs and i am grateful because something good came out my wasted time there.
if you need anything, please do feel free to contact us at http://catsofbangalore.blogspot.com. the mother dog needs to be sterilised as soon as her pups are weaned. the puppies too have to be vaccinated and sterilised. they can be done relatively early these days. if those who will be adopting the pups cannot afford to do that, we’ll see what we can do.
the pups are adorable! the mother needs lots of water and a little more food…especially because of the extra calories she’ll be needing because she’s still lactating. thank you taking care of them and thank you for caring
Comment by Jellicles — March 16, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
Jellicles, the black pup was killed in an accident this morning. He died soon after without bleeding. A scooter went on his tummy, he squeaked and ran. He lied down and slowly died. The mom barked and barked, to no use! Someone has already taken away the white pup. So, she has neither of her kids now. When she barked, there came another dog, and if I am not wrong, I think he is the dad. The white pup looked exactly like him! So many of us are so upset right now. Very sad.
I have contacted Yasmine for sterilizing the dad and the mom
Comment by Chitra — March 16, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
The killing of innocent kids by the stray dogs is really heart- rending. But killing every dog on street isn’t the solution while the root-cause is not dealt at all. If the moronic butchers around have called for this problem, they have to realize that they have roused the natural animal instinct of feeding on raw flesh and stop dumping their wastes into nearby open spaces. Can the administrators use the thin wire to catch the senseless butchers around and put some sense into them?
-Sandhya
Comment by Sandhya Kashyap — March 16, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
It’s sad that humans are the only barbaric species who systematically destroy life all around them. I’m in the US right now and just heard this news from my parents. I’m ashamed to call myself a Bangalore girl anymore…..and am this close [] to flying back to help those poor dogs. No wonder India is the way it is, we should haul our so called ‘leaders’ by their legs and render the same treatment to them as they are these animals. I would personally start with those barbaric ‘dog catchers’. Give them a taste of their own medicine. For lack of a better word to call the people responisble, I can only think of a choice few…..MFs
Comment by Anonymous — March 19, 2007 @ 4:48 pm
Sandhya, Anon, welcome to my blog. Yes, what happened was very sad. But, now it looks like everything has come to a stand still. I am not sure if they are pondering over the issue or if they have moved on to something else without solving this one. Lets see.
Comment by Chitra — March 22, 2007 @ 4:48 pm
i hope some of us can do some real things…. pls… y cant v go speak in homes direct…’m ready…. need some like minded ppl…. ‘m also worried at ppls apathy toward gvrmts no englis in school here… y r ppl here insensitiv n indifferen… cant v all jus try to break out our own shackles….. anyon with real want : pls mail yeshop@gmail.com
i can oly adopt one stray… n the rest need u…
Comment by Surya — March 29, 2007 @ 4:48 pm
n i do agreee with the anonymous’ comments… no pt preachin out noble ideas… v need do somethin solid…. not 4 the sake of it… but oly v can… hey shake out n come on…
Comment by Surya — March 29, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
Guess Iraq is having this problem now. Here’s a link to the story by the New York times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/world/middleeast/15strays.html
Not sure if it is good or bad. Now don’t get me wrong here - I said good ‘coz they are not worrying about bombs going off every day but instead are able to talk about dogs and other issues. Bad - obviously ‘coz of what the dogs have to go through.
Now - back to Bangalore. Any idea how the stray situation these days is in Bangalore? Seems to be a lot better in my neighborhood at least.
-Ganapathy
Comment by Ganapathy — March 15, 2009 @ 3:34 pm