Heartbroken dogs

Abandoning your aging pet is as bad as throwing out your old parents, explain activists

Animal welfare activist Rohit Iyer is exasperated. The 23-year-old volunteer at Blue Cross of India's Chennai shelter observes a steep increase in the number of people abandoning their loyal friends without remorse or hesitation. “People often think that dogs lamenting about their owners happens only in movies, but I know that they really do,” says Rohit who helps rehabilitate these dogs in the hope of finding them new homes.

“Many do not eat for a very long time,” he says, adding that some depressed dogs actually have to be force-fed. “There's one Spitz who was abandoned two weeks ago. Every time someone walks into the shelter, she goes up to them and stares at them. She follows them from the reception to the gate and keeps hoping someone will pick her up.”

He recalls an instance where a terrified Rajapalayam dog was left tied to a tree with such a short leash that he nearly strangulated himself while cowering in fear of the noisy traffic. In yet another instance of appalling cruelty, a family abandoned their two-year-old mongrel in peak hour traffic. By the time volunteers rushed to his rescue, the mongrel had darted in front of an unsuspecting van driver's vehicle and was crushed to death on the spot.

Rohit often finds himself persuading people not to forsake their aged dogs when they need their owners the most. “Someone called me to say their dog was 15 and had failing eyesight, and asked if the shelter could take him,” he reports. “I asked him: would you abandon your children, or your parents?”

The common victims of this phenomenon are dogs above age 10. “People want the dog to be the same throughout its life,” he says of the trend. “But a 15-year-old dog is like a 90-year-old person. They try hard for your sake not to soil the place or cause you any inconvenience.” Rohit's own rescued dog lived up to the ripe age of 20 and he believes that one must not adopt an animal unless they are ready for this long-term commitment to love and care for them.

“A dog that is used to a home will never fare well anywhere else,” he says, appealing to people not to betray their best friends. In the meantime, he watches these forsaken friends wait patiently and eagerly for a sign that they will be loved again.

In India, most dogs are pariah dogs

Maneka Gandhi responds to queries raised by animal lovers across Mumbai.

What is the difference between stray dogs and mongrels?

Stray is merely a legal term indicating an animal that is ownerless and homeless. It does not refer to the breed of the dog. When pedigreed breeds are lost or abandoned on the street by their owners, they also become strays. A mongrel is a dog of mixed or indeterminate breed. Both the terms stray and mongrel are commonly — and erroneously — used to denote a pariah Dog. Pariahs are a distinct breed of dog, coming under the category of primitive or aboriginal breeds. Since they are not commercially recognised, this fact is not widely known. In India, most strays are Pariah Dogs or mongrels. Once a Pariah or mongrel gets adopted as a house-pet, it ceases to be a stray. We call them Indian dogs.

I sometimes see dogs with skin problems and hairless patches — aren’t they all rabid?

Skin problems and fur fall are not symptoms of rabies. Rabies affects the central nervous system, not the skin. Probably the confusion occurred because this is a skin disease called scabies, which is easily curable. Strangely, this question is asked quite often in India.

Isn’t it sad that stray dogs have to eat garbage?

Archaeological studies indicate that wolves started living near human settlements so that they could eat the garbage thrown outside. Dogs evolved from these wolves, and have always been scavengers. Unlike humans, they do not view garbage with disgust. In fact, even a well-fed pedigreed dog will make trips to the dustbin when his owners aren’t looking. Of course, eating garbage has its risks; since once in a while a dog may eat something poisonous bt many strays lead long and healthy lives with no other source of food.

My groomer wants to clean my dog’s teeth while he’s getting groomed. Is this a good idea?

It is a wonderful thing to have your pet’s teeth brushed while at the groomer. However, with regards to the groomer physically removing dental tartar — absolutely not! Several problems crop up when groomers manually scrape tartar off your dog’s teeth. First of all, the dog is fully awake, not sedated; if he has gingivitis, scaling his teeth will be painful. This is a terribly inhumane thing to do to a dog. In addition, only visible tartar can be scaled away with hand tools; tartar below the gumline, the main source of gingivitis, can’t be accessed with hand tools in a dog which is conscious. Secondly, scaling teeth with hand tools always leaves deep grooves in the enamel. Last, and most important, scaling of teeth always releases bacteria into the bloodstream through the gums. If your dog is not properly already on antibiotics designed for gingivitis, he could end up with an acute case of endocarditis. The only method to clean your dog’s teeth is at the vet under light anaesthesia.

http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report_in-india-most-dogs-are-pariah-dogs_1661271

Passion for pets

Animals need no charity from man, what they need is our love and attention. Pradeep Kumar Nath, a dog-lover from Vizag tells us more

“For a little love and a morsel of food the dog almost pledges its life to you. Which other animal will do that?” Asks Pradeep Kumar Nath, who’s known in Vizag for his love for animals. He runs some animal shelters and a hospital. Pradeep is a founder of ABC India (Animal Birth Control) and is also the founder-president of Visakha Society for Protection and Care of Animals Member, AP State Animal Welfare Board.

Pradeep is no ordinary dog lover. He champions their cause. As a manager in a scheduled bank, he created controversy by walking into the bank with a couple of street dogs at his heels. The rule that animals are not allowed inside bank was for others. And wherever he got transferred his fame or defame as you view it preceded him and many tried to stall his posting to the new branch for fear of it becoming an extended canine shelter! He later quit service to dedicate himself to the animal welfare. It has been 16 years since he and his wife have given their days to animal welfare. Four criminal cases have been slapped against him. He gets abused and has often been threatened for creating ‘nuisance.’ “But I keep doing what I believe is my mission—bring succour to the poor animals.”

Today Pradeep and his wife live for animals. They make 80 packets of food every day and feed the street dogs. has its own pet hospitals and shelters.

“I have converted many ossified dog haters including my father to dog lovers, ,” says Pradeep smiling as he recalls his feats.

“My dad could not stand the sight of a dog. He would kick it and curse it. One day I put a baby Pomeranian on his desk. With its button eyes and white coat it looked like a tennis ball with two eyes. He took to it and fondled it. When it died, my dad could not control his tears!

Q & A

What is meant by ethical treatment of a pet?

Animals need no charity from man. The most tragic part is that many rich people buy exotic dogs. At the first chance of the animal contacting even a simple skin disease or old age they abandon the animals. About 30 per cent of street dogs we find today are pedigree dogs thus abandoned. What a cruelty! Culling or driving out street dogs, which are essentially Indian, is not the solution. Neuter and vaccinate them and leave the dogs back from where they were picked up. Dogs have a high sense of propriety over the area they grew up in. They won’t allow other dogs to come that part. So leaving them in the same place not only ensures their well-being but they also save you from varied marauders.

Could adoption be a part of the solution?

It is. But by itself, it is not. Every residential colony could adopt a few dogs and rear them. They will guard you free of cost.

Who do you think do most harm to pets?

Pet dealers. They are the pe­r­p­etrators of crime against pets. They breed and cross br­­eed the dogs to make money. And, they have no respect for the law

What is the remedy?

GHMC and other municipalities have powers to impose a license fee on pets. They are not doing this. Today, the so-called pet lovers ill-treat animals as they yap through the night disturbing people around. You know, if a neighbour complains of pets making noise the corporation can impound the animal and penalise the owner. In India people do not assert their rights.

How to behave with a dog

Don’t walk into a nursing mother dog.

Don’t ever run when a dog barks at you.

If you are drunk and walk unsteadily the dog will protest. Don’t attack it, walk as steady as possible.The only language a dog knows is barking. Don’t fret every time it barks. Give it a command to stop. It will obey. It’s only trying to get your attention.

Canine fact file

Street dog brings security to your area. Dogs are territorial creatures and don’t allow new dogs into their areas. This also helps keep at bay dogs with diseases and chase away rats and other rodents. They also eat up leftover food keeping your area clean. If a street dog is neutered and vaccinated they are the best security against thieves and burglars. Trained street dogs have proved to be the best guarantee against intrusion or terrorism.

Which animals are the worst off?

T he cat and bull, says Pradeep. Cats are being surreptitiously butchered and used in restaurants while bulls suffer throughout their lives.

http://postnoon.com/2012/03/03/passion-for-pets/34350

Pet-iquette: Cat’s licking is a sign of anxiety

by Maneka Gandhi

My cat has been licking his lips as if he has dry mouth. He’s been doing it for a couple of days. Is something wrong?
Licking of lips can be an indicator of a range of different problems. It could be a sign of mild anxiety; an allergy of some sort (especially if they are licking another area of his body); or a sign of an obstruction somewhere in the digestive process (he may have swallowed an object or piece of string). In rare cases, this could be a sign of something more serious such as Chronic Renal Insufficiency where the kidneys aren’t functioning properly. CRI also includes symptoms like increased thirst/urination and nausea, so it’s unlikely to be the cause if that’s the only symptom.

What breed of dog is known not to bark when left alone?
It has more to do with the owners than it does the breed of dog. If you fulfil the dog’s instincts, the dog, no matter the breed, will be less likely to bark. I know there are some breeds that may have a tendency to bark more then others, but it really has more to do with the human behind the dog. A restless dog is more likely to bark more. A dog who is well exercised and secure is going to bark less.

Dogs are starving on the road. Isn’t it better to put them out of their misery and kill them?
Children are starving as well. The old, the sick, the crippled, the ones who are alone, criminals, bankrupts, jobless….most people lead a life of misery, whether real or imagined. Trees have a terrible life stuck in one place, their leaves and branches cut, urinated upon etc. Shall we cut them all down? Shall we use this method for all beings?

How can you tell if your dog is not feeling well?
Sick can mean he has the runs and isn’t quite himself, or sick can mean sudden lethargy, dehydration, and fevers. Issues such as diarrhoea or vomiting can be either issues relating to your dog’s health or it could mean that your dog is sick. Symptoms of dehydration and fever require vet care. These can both be an indication of infection or serious illness and treatment should not be delayed. Alternatively, lethargy and listlessness can be either a sign of illness or emotional distress. A pup can go on a hunger strike over a change of food or environment, or can lose his appetite when he is sick. You have to look at the other symptoms of dehydration — moisture from the eyes, a dry nose, hot ears and stomach.

Is there any law that protects monkeys from madaris and insures their welfare?
No private person in India is allowed to capture, own, buy, sell, train or show any wild animals for public exhibition. The animals that are used by madaris; i.e. monkeys, snakes, bears, mongooses, parakeets are all protected by the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Section 22 of the Performing Animals Rules of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, is also applicable. Since, both are cognisable offences, the madaris can be arrested on the spot, and the animal handed over to the Wildlife Dept, Zoo or a Local Animal Welfare Shelter. In the case of healthy snakes, mongooses or birds, the animals should be released in a jungle.