Following a report (‘No private matter, this’) in these columns (Monday, July 30, 2007) on unauthorised vehicles picking up dogs in the City, Joint Commissioner for BBMP B V Kulkarni told this reporter that he has instructed his health officers to withdraw the private vehicles from BBMP service.

“I have drafted an order stating all private vehicles must stop catching dogs and it has ben sent to all the Medical officers of Health (MOH). Last week, I have verbally instructed the officers to stop sending the vehicles on BBMP’s work. All complaints will be diverted to the NGOs and it is their responsibility to act.”

When asked to show a copy of the official order pertaining to hiring private vehicles and now withdrawing them, the joint commissioner claimed it’s not possible. When asked about private vehicles, Sanober Bharucha, honorary secretary, CUPA, said the NGO received no notification and the officials concerned in the BBMP and Animal Husbandry Department claimed to be completely unaware of it (the order)... quite in contrast to what the same officials told Metrolife.

Meanwhile, a resident of JP Nagar’s RBI Colony has reported a private vehicle (KA-05 B 7244) bearing neither a BBMP sign nor the driver possessing authorisation to pick up stray dogs. “This van has been frequenting the area for more than a week now. Why are these private vehicles operating and where are the dogs being taken? Authorities don’t answer questions,” he said adding that he contacted NGOs hoping to get some information, but that too has proved futile.

Responding to this incident, Kulkarni said the order reached various zones on Saturday and the private vans have since been cancelled. “From now, they will not work on the BBMP’s ABC programme,” he said.

Contrary to BBMP’s claim about NGOs not attending to complaints, Sanober Bharucha said, “We are working on complaints made by citizens in our zone every month.”

Many activists have noticed relocation as being a rampant method used by the private vehicles coupled with unauthorised euthanasia. “Random relocation of community dogs and inconsiderate and unplanned killing of dogs are like the ends of a double-edged sword. The City is setting the stage to see a pandemic like the one in Surat,” said Pablo, an animal activist, wildlife researcher and conservationist.

(Note: The term ‘unauthorised vehicles’ has been used despite BBMP claiming to have hired the vehicles as the department has not produced any official papers with regard to hiring them.

See also the box below on existing methods in dog catching as stated by residents and NGOs, and another box on suggestions for a transparent system.)

EXISTING METHOD
No recorded complaint system.

No certified veterinarian or health inspector accompanying vans to decipher whether dogs are ferocious and/or ill.

NGOs claim they respond to complaints but they were not informed about private vehicles in ABC programme.

Dogs—whether neutered, licensed or docile—are randomly picked up everyday from various areas.

Private vehicles bear no BBMP mark and drivers do not have any authorisation letter from the department.

SOME SUGGESTIONS
Tighten the complaint system and route them to the NGOs concerned.

A ferocious dog can be identified by residents only. Van drivers or veterinarians not in a position to identify them.

Vans must bear BBMP mark along with the respective NGO and drivers must possess ID cards.

Inform media and public about the number of vans hired for the ABC and its related programmes. This will help keep a tab on unauthorised operations.

Any official order must be on paper and must be accessible to the public.