DECCAN HERALD on Wednesday, 22 February 2012

The growing number of dog-bite cases has forced the civic authorities to think out of the box, and explore solutions beyond the traditional methods.The focus is now on finding the reason for canines going berserk.Experts point out that dogs normally do not attack unless provoked; they bite mainly to defend themselves or due to fear. According to Rakesh Shukla, the founder of Voice of Stray Dogs, heaps of garbage in public places are at the root of the problem.

“Dogs are scavengers and they eat garbage. If there is no edible garbage, dog populations will disappear,” he explains, citing analyses and data from studies.

But he points out that dog-bite cases cannot be reduced to zero in the City spread over 750 sq km, with a population of approximatively 80 lakh. The sheer numbers, 1.8 lakh strays and 1.4 lakh pet dogs, make the task of curbing their population difficult.

Amrut Sridhara Hiranya, a dog behaviourist, doesn’t want to generalise. ” Not all dogs are a nuisance. Why do people generalise? The public knowledge about sick dogs are those with rabies or scabies.

But dogs also have behavioural problems. As a responsible citizen, it is important to inform the BBMP or animal welfare organisations about abnormal behaviour of dogs in your locality, ” he said.

BBMP programme

The Palike launched animal birth control (ABC) and anti-rabies vaccination (ARV) drives in 2001. Till date, over 3.6 lakh dogs have been subjected to ABC and ARV administered on another four lakh. For the year 2010-11, ABC has been conducted on 69,141 dogs and ARV administered on 1,61,419 dogs under the programmes executed by NGOs working for the BBMP.

Dr Parvez Ahmad Piran, Joint Director, Animal Husbandry, BBMP, says at present ABC and ARV are being executed in full swing and at this rate, dog population can be controlled in the next three years.

“Executing these programmes is a Herculean task. Dogs cannot be caught easily as they hide and alert their creed about dog-catchers. Despite making huge efforts, many dogs go missing in our programmes, “he added.

Dr Piran said dogs normally do not cross their territories. But during breeding season, they do cut across territories and during one of their migration phases, there can be incidents of dog bites due to aggression. Dogs attack due to sexual aggression, maternal aggression, rabies, territorial aggression, fear and provocation.

The BBMP’s ABC and ARV take care of sexual and maternal aggression by removing the reproductive glands in the animal and ARV takes care of rabies, he explained.

Mauling toddlers
The death of two children this year, supposedly due to dog bites, could actually have been caused due to other reasons, Dr Piran said.

“Two toddlers, one in Bagalur and another in Yelahanka did not die due to dog attack. Normally, when a dog bites, there are irregular tears or laceration marks on the body which were not found on these two children. These children may have died due to other reasons, which still need to be investigated, ” he added.

Ref – http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8378569.stm

Tongues wag and tails too
Times of India on Monday, 22 July 2011

Bangalore: Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, Bangalore’s dog-loving youth were eager to parade their pets at the Dog show,an intercollegiate pet competition.

Hosted by Jain University’s cultural forum,the event celebrated a dogs day and promoted awareness about canine behavioural issues.The National College Grounds was alive with chatter and wagging tails.The stalls surrounding the enclosure endorsed Karuna Animal Welfare Association of Karnataka (KAWAK) and sold dog food,accessories and even puppies! We wanted to do something different, said Akshith Manjunath,a member of the cultural forum.We invited every college in Bangalore. As an open class breed event, the entrants didn’t need to register under the Canine Club and any dog could compete.

There was even a Puppy section into which organizer, Pranav D,e ntered his 4-month-old Rottweiler, Danny. Over 50 dogs of all shapes, ages and sizes competed in three categories: Most Obedient, Best Looking and Fancy Dress, to win medals, trophies and Drools Dog Kits.

The show was also a platform to create awareness about canines with behavioural issues: Apart from rabies, dogs can develop mental disorders, said.

The show was also a platform to create awareness about canines with behavioural issues: Apart from rabies, dogs can develop mental disorders, said.Amrut Hiranya, a behaviouralist known as the Dog Guru,and one of the judges at the show.

The recent stray-dog attacks are a result of psychologically unstable canines which haven’t been reported to competent authorities, Hiranya urged students to notify correction centres about such cases to save healthy dogs from being unjustly treated.

The Annual Dog Show 2011-12
This Press release from Jain University organized “The Annual Dog Show 2011-12″

The Cultural Forum of Jain University organized ” The Annual Dog Show 2011-12 ” – an event for open class breed exclusively for the beloved dogs.

Mr. Amrut Sridhara Hiranya – Canine Behaviorist, Unitec, New Zealand & Dr. Chandraiah – Veterinarian, Bangalore were the judges for the event. The Show witnessed various breeds stepping with their best paws forward.

Results:

The show was a platform to create awareness about canines with behavioral issues and event also echoed concerns about Dog Shows being considered as a fashion event.

Best Obedient Dog– Where a dog must perfectly execute a predefined set of tasks when directed to do so by his handler.

Male Dog – Veerabadra; Guardian – Madhurima

Best Looking Dog– The best looking breed which engrossed the judges as well as the audience.

Male Dog – Champy; Guardian – Satish

Female Dog – Nicy; Guardian – Deepu