As the sun rises each morning, the early risers are out with their dogs for a walk in and around their localities. It is also when the animals let their guard down, and relieve themselves.
The story till now is no one else’s business, but here’s where individual canine freedom infringes on public affairs. More often than not, dog faecal matter is found on the streets and footpaths, until sweepers from the GHMC saves the denizen from the stench and sight of it.
“It is very unsavoury to see the footpath near my house getting dirty every day. People come out with their pets in the mornings, and evenings, and let them soil public spaces,” laments M. Krishank, a resident of East Marredpally, adding that the canines only make job of sweepers harder. Vishal Singh, a resident of Red Hills, concurs. There needs to be some law to deter pet-owners from letting the animals defecate in public, so that at least footpaths and roads in residential colonies are clean.
“In fact, in foreign countries, dog owners have to pick up the excreta if their pets defecate in public,” he points out.
Dog owners, however, argue that they have no other option but to take their pets out, but acceded that what they were doing was wrong.
“I can’t let my dog dirty my house, can I? Also, canines don’t dirty footpaths, as they usually defecate in mud and cover it with the same later,” said a dog-owner.
When contacted, GHMC Chief Veterinary Officer P. Venkateshwar Reddy said that while there was no rule to penalise dog-owners, the corporation does list a set of ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ during registration of pets.
“Also, pet dogs must be in their kennels, or in their owners’ homes. In case they are let out to defecate, we will act if we receive a complaint,” he mentioned.
