Stray Dogs of DSCC: Taposh willing to work for long-term solution
Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh today told animal rights activists that he is willing to work towards an integrated, realistic and long-term solution for stray dog population management in the city.
During a meeting with animal rights organisations at Nagar Bhaban, he said a single meeting is not enough to resolve the matter, rather they will hold more meetings if necessary, according to a press release issued by DSCC.
The mayor asked the representatives of the organisations to give a written proposal to the city corporation based on recommendations on proper management of stray dogs, which they will try to incorporate with the working plan of DSCC.
"Our main target is to make Dhaka a modern city; in modern cities there is no stray dog that moves openly in parks, playgrounds and open roads," Mayor Taposh said, and urged activists to identify dogs which are being taken care of by communities, so that DSCC does not relocate those.
He also suggested rights organisations to raise awareness so people take "full responsibility" for the dogs instead of just feeding them, says the release.
The meeting came in light of DSCC's decision to relocate stray dogs from different parts of the city to the Matuail landfill "based on complaints by people," a move that animal lovers have denounced as illegal and inhumane.
A writ petition was also filed with the High Court challenging the legality of the move. The HC on September 27 adjourned the hearing on the petition till October 6.
Celebrated actor and animal rights activist Jaya Ahsan, one of the petitioners, was present at the meeting. "We had an amicable meeting with the mayor," she told this newspaper. "And we are hopeful as he sat with us and is willing to work together."
"All of us want a long-term solution, and we talked about that…We do not want even a single dog to be relocated," the national film award-winning actor told The Daily Star.
Rakibul Haq Emil, founder of People for Animal Welfare Foundation, said, "We made a presentation on the problems regarding stray dogs, and how culling and relocation has been unsuccessful. We also showed which stakeholders can work to address which issue, and tried to show that it's not an overnight process. The mayor heard us out, but his viewpoint is that he imagines Dhaka not as a South Asian city but as Singapore or European cities, where no animal will roam outside. He also said it is not feasible for them to relocate thousands of dogs. He asked us to submit a work plan as soon as possible."
"We are optimistic with the meeting. He made some valid points, and we want to work together," he added.
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