MADIKERI: There is good news for dog lovers of Kodagu. The number of dogs has increased steadily in the district in the recent years. As per the 2003-04 census, there were 56,681 dogs in the district when compared to 190 in the year 1951.

There is no specific reason for the increase in the number of dogs in the district. But dog lovers have increased in the district. At the same time, the number of street dogs has also increased. Municipal authorities in the urban centres have turned a blind eye to this menace. The number of dogs in Kodagu in 1956 was 306. In 1990 it was put at 51,860. Owing to the entry of more breeds, dog shows have become a regular feature in Kodagu in the recent days.

Cattle not important

In case of cattle, the number was as high as 2,01,758 as per the 1977 census in Kodagu. Now it is down to 1,20,529. During the 1997-98 census, there were 1,37,510 cattle in the district.

Lack of grazing areas in the district and non-utilisation of draught animal power in agriculture, has weaned cattle away from the life of farmers. Cattle are not very significant to the lives of rural people as they did 20 years ago. Milk is bought from the towns and cities and cow dung manures have given away for chemical fertilisers. Tractors and tillers have replaced cattle draught power.

Pig rearing

The number of pigs was as high as 70,785 during the 1983 census. It has come down to 28,563 during the year 2003-04. Pork is one of the delicacies in Kodagu. Pig rearing in the villages has come down considerably. They are not scientifically managed and left to wander. The number of buffalo too has gone down over a period of years. From just 26,270 in the year 1951, it is now down to 27,052 in Kodagu. During 1990, there were 48,838 buffalos in the district, which by far remains the highest.

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