NGO suggests plan to BMC, seeks monetary helpThree days after the Bombay High Court ordered death for rabid and nuisance-causing stray dogs, an NGO has suggested the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials to use stray and abandoned dogs in the city for security purposes. “The 26/11 terror attacks have opened our eyes and we want to take every feasible measure to prevent our homes and offices. Since the city has a good number of stray and abandoned dogs, we thought why not put them to good use,” said Dr J C Khanna, secretary, Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. His NGO met Municipal Commissioner Jairaj Phatak and ward officers to propose an idea of creating a dog squad using such dogs. “Stray dogs are generally stronger. Our idea is to form a dog squad which can be used in BMC headquarter, ward offices, and other government offices. Our NGO has a good number of such abandoned dogs,” Dr Khanna said. As a pilot project, he wants to start a small dog squad comprising 10 dogs and 10 men. “Though we can use any kind of dogs, we will initially use five pugs more than 6 months old. If we get good results, we will use dogs of other species too,” he said, adding that he seeks the BMC’s help in funding the project. “As an NGO, we are bit cash strapped. So, we approached the civic body. We want them to provide us with funds and manpower while we would take care of infrastructure and medical treatment and training,” he said. Meanwhile, Dr Khanna maintained that the High Court order has nothing to do with his decision. “The court has not specified what ‘nuisance’ creating dogs are. In any case, we will not take into consideration rabid or terminally ill dogs. So the decision has nothing to do with our idea. We think trained stray dogs can be used for security measures,” he said. Dr Khanna will be preparing a formal draft and send to the civic body in next three days. “The civic officials have met the proposal with great enthusiasm. In fact, they have given a verbal acceptance. But we need to get an official nod,” he said. However, the municipal commissioner maintained that the proposal will be a bit difficult to implement. “It seems difficult, but I suppose it could be tried out,” Phatak said.
