“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” - Josh Billings
It is no wonder then that dogs are the most preferred choice of pet. In many homes they are treated just like a family member. They have their own towels, bowls, toys and even Facebook and twitter accounts. Dogs have been the sidekick and the star of many memorable films and cartoons. They’ve also been given the title of ‘man’s best friend’.
Though according to WHO, there are more than 200 million stray dogs worldwide. In Kolkata itself there are about 40,000 stray dogs, starving and diseased. For them every day is a fight for survival. They are kicked around with nowhere to go. They eat whatever they find rummaging through the garbage. They are almost never loved. They don’t even make it to the list of desired breed of pet dogs.
Most people would rather splurge on a fancy breed than spare some to feed the neighbourhood dogs. Many such ‘dog lovers’, who buy pure breds wouldn’t welcome a street 
dog into their homes let alone their hearts. Such double standards exist at all levels in our society. Therefore it leaves us with a situation. A situation, where thousands of dogs roam the streets with no proper food, shelter or vaccination. Thus the problem of rabies crop up. Rabies kills about 20,000 people in India annually. It is usually the street children who adopt the strays as pets thus exposing themselves to the virus.
There aren’t enough animal shelters to take in all or even most of them. These shelters, most of them run by NGOs, lack financial backing and not many people can spare their time for such a cause. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) being the local authority should be responsible for taking care of this situation. They, on the flip side, allegedly ill treat them.
A major part of the money allotted for this cause is pocketed by corrupt officials. The dog pounds remain unhygienic and ill equipped. Sometimes the dogs are left to fight amongst themselves for their share of food. They are neglected and sometimes also refused vaccination in the pounds.
Then there is the “stray dogs are a menace” notion. The strays sometimes unknowingly wander in other dogs’ territories and fights ensue. This results in passers by getting bitten or chased. They create a lot of ruckus and scare off pet dogs. They overturn garbage bins. Thus, most citizens want them eradicated. But killing is not the solution. Firstly, dogs also have a right to live. Secondly, if once the dogs in an area are killed, the dogs from other areas will come and make it their territory. So we are back to square one.
Christopher Hitchens said that if we provide a dog with food, shelter and affection they will think we are gods. Small communities or groups could collectively adopt dogs.
Each member could assume partial responsibility in caring for them. People could put together whatever food they can spare and feed them. They can also pool in their resources and make temporary shelters for them. Every college, school and local club should adopt stray dogs. Children should be taught to be compassionate towards them. This is an issue that requires sensitivity. We must accept the fact that they’re a part of our society and must treat them well.
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