Leftovers from eateries attract dogs in K.K. Nagar

A week ago, while returning from work, 42-year-old S. Ramnath was hopelessly trying to fend off a pack of barking strays on Ramawamy Salai in K.K. Nagar. One of the dogs bit into Ramnath’s trousers, forcing him to stop the motorcycle.

Along with a few walkers, who had to pick up a few stones, Ramnath managed to chase the dogs away.

Many streets in K.K. Nagar are characterised by a huge stray dog population due to a proliferation of roadside eateries in the locality. Pack of stray dogs loiter around, scavenging on leftover food flowing out of garbage bins.

Residents allege that most of the roadside eateries dump their waste in the bins, meant for residents, instead of handing it over to the conservancy staff.

The garbage bins are not cleared regularly, they add.

“Due to the fear of dog bites, we prevent our children from playing on the streets,” says S. Kavitha, a resident of K.K. Nagar.

Many of the stray dogs in the locality have been sterilised as part of Corporation’s animal birth control programme and left back on the streets.

Waste disposal

So, ensuring responsible disposal of waste, especially food waste, and their prompt clearance should check this problem, say residents.

“Steps will be taken to have garbage removed from neighbourhood on a daily basis,” says a Corporation official.