28 December,2010 07:05 AM IST | | Varun Singh
Relief over decision to abolish grasper method and introduce sacks instead tou00a0ensure stray dogs sustain no injuries during sterilisation drives
The inhumane methods employed to catch stray dogs during sterilisation drives in the city will finally come to an end. In a move that will not only bring relief to animal lovers and dogs alike, the BMC has decided to stop use of the graspers to catch stray dogs.
The grasper, which is actually a pair of oversized steel tongs that catchers use to seize a stray by the neck, can cause serious internal injuries to the animal while in its grip
The grasper, which is actually a pair of oversized steel tongs that catchers use to seize a stray by the neck, has been in use by the BMC for the last decade.
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The method is brutal and can cause serious internal injuries to the animal while in its grip. The ensnared animal struggles to break free and becomes aggressive and this, if witnessed by passerbies, can be quite distressing.
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Several animal activists have been raising concerns against its use and even veterinarians discourage using this method.
Animal activists were somewhat relieved with the BMC Municipal Commissioners' decision to abolish the grasper method and introduce more humane methods like sacks or nets.
However, the grasper method according to Sunish Subramaniam, coordinator, Plants and Animal Welfare Society, is an appropriate method.
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He said, "The BMC has taken a hasty decision, and graspers, if used properly do not harm the dog." He also said that in the past few years, graspers are being used by inexperienced and untrained animal catchers, thus causing injuries to the animals.
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Many drag the dogs, whereas if catchers are trained appropriately in the method, the snared animal would obey the handler and walk along obediently.
"The BMC spends crores of rupees to fund NGOs that conduct sterilisation operations, why should they not spend some extra money to train catchers to handle the dogs," he added.
Dr J C Khanna, of the SPCA, claims that the decision to abolish the use of graspers is good and advised the use of nets or sacks instead.
"Graspers sometimes miss their mark and instead grip the dog by the mouth causing serious injuries. Some animals are aggressive, and hence in their effort to break free from the graspers sustain bleeding injuries, thereby causing onlookers some anxiety," he said.
The sterilisation programme cost the state exchequer
2008 u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 2009
Rs 2.67 cru00a0u00a0Rs 2.54 cr
The number of dogs sterilised
2008u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 2009u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a02010 (till Oct 31)
33,021u00a0u00a0u00a036,990u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 29,946
