Stray dog control
The statement by an animal rights activist that rabies is a ‘halki beemari (mild illness’) is outrageous. Rabies is a lethal virus with 100% mortality, causing a prolonged, painful death. Such statements reflect an indefensibly callous attitude, which ignores the danger that aggressive street dogs pose to working people, who cannot sequester themselves in their homes like the elite. However, the Supreme Court of India’s directive that all dogs in Delhi must be captured within eight weeks is unfeasible and inhumane. The scientific method to control the canine population is by implementing the Animal Birth Control rules. The Municipal Corporation should partner with welfare organisations to sterilise and vaccinate dogs. Rather than mass culling, sick dogs and those that routinely attack people should be selectively euthanised. The Public Health Department should ensure that all hospitals and mohalla clinics have stocks of rabies and tetanus vaccines, alongside an awareness campaign that both injections must be administered within 24 hours of a dog bite. If these protocols are rigorously implemented, there will be no street dogs and no rabies deaths in the near future.
Aarti Sethi,
New Delhi
Doorstep ration delivery
I was pleasantly surprised when the two women who usually handle the sale of ration items in the government shop in my area called me to say that they were at my gate. They were from the women’s co-operative stores. Everything was executed smoothly but the women looked exhausted and were struggling with poor wi-fi connectivity. If senior citizens are to benefit from this scheme — it is called the ‘Thaayumanavar Thittam’ and is meant for senior citizens — they should have their cards and containers ready. With this step, the mobile delivery of rations would be much easier for government staff.
Mini Krishnan,
Chennai