Srinagar, Feb 20: Prominent animal rights activist Javed Iqbal Shah has accused the Srinagar Municipal Corporation of being non- serious in fighting the dog menace so much so that the SMC played spoilsport in getting the dog sterilization program started at-least twice in the past few years.
 The allegation is being seen in the backdrop of the official figures that over one lakh dogs are prowling on the summer Capital streets–often targeting humans while many have even died.
 Sources said in a recent letter to the Divisional Commissioner, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, Shah, who heads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals (SPCA)’s Kashmir chapter said he had tried level best in getting the menace checked but the SMC didn’t cooperate.
 “With great persuasion and effort that entailed time and personal monetary investment I brought around the AWBIs (Animal Welfare Board of India) and some reputed National Level NGO’s to launch a pilot project in 2008 that was intended to later  be taken up on full fledged basis by us but the SMC refused to sign any MOU to this end no sooner than the AWBI officials landed up in Kashmir to inaugurate the project,” Javed said in faxed letter, a copy of which lies with Greater Kashmir.
 He added: “Yet I went ahead and did what could be done in the situation. Thereafter, at the CM Mr Omar Abdullah’s bidding last year I again roped in some of the best NGOs in India to work in tandem with the SPCA Kashmir in resolution of this problem. Again the SMC played spoilsport and determinedly forestalled these attempts.”
 Javed’s letter came in response to his inability of attending a high level meeting past week to tackle dog menace.
 Pertinently, following repeated reports on dog menace with stray packs unleashing terror on humans, the Divisional Commissioner, a veterinarian by qualification, volunteered to take the lead in tackling the issue.
 On February 11, Dr Samoon chaired the high level meeting in the presence of senior officials from related fields and members from the civil society.
  “It is poetic justice, a coincidence and some stroke of good providence all added up that the divisional administration has come to be headed now by a veterinarian of your professional acumen and scientific temperament,” Javed hails in his letter.
 “I solemnly assure you that with you at the helm and only in case you wish to address the dog proliferation issue by methods other than wanton killing of these poor creatures you shall have my full and unqualified support,” Javed Shah told the Divisional Commissioner.
 When contacted the Divisional Commissioner’s office confirmed to have received the letter from Vice-President SPCA Kashmir.
 Pertinently, for now the ball to fight the dog menace is in the SMC court because the divisional administration at the recent meeting got the requisite arrangements made to start the sterilization.
 In response to the directions, the Commissioner SMC, Sheikh Mushtaq on February 19 informed Dr Samoon that “as soon as their staff is trained in catching the dogs, the sterilization process would start by next week”.
 The SMC’s word on dog sterilization came during the Divisional Commissioner’s visit to Animal Aid Centre, Tengpora, where he was informed that the Animal Aid centre is equipped with 13 concrete dog kennels and 68.
  “It 2 examination tables with one surgical set, catching rods and nets and post operative care room,” an official spokesman said.

‘Pied Pipper’ awaits official nod
The City man Khurshid Ahmed Mir, who has gone popular by nickname Pied Pipper for having claimed to make the stray dogs leave Srinagar on Sunday said he was yet to receive written orders to start his job.
 “Once the paper work is completed, I will start my work and make the prescribed areas dog free,” Mir told Greater Kashmir, the newspaper first to publish an exclusive story on his claims.
 He said till now the deal had been verbal and couldn’t be started unless paperwork and other related formalities are finalized.
 Pertinently, Mir last week attended a high level meeting on dog menace chaired by Divisional Commissioner while several other senior officials including SMC Commissioner were also present on the occasion.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 Feb 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 Feb 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:00:00 IST