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ANIMAL TALK
Bridging human - animal conflict
AMALA
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An empathetic approach can help you understand animals better
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October 4 was World Animal Day, the perfect time to address conflict with animals in the hope to resolve them. We know every problem has a solution.
People are afraid of animals or have terrifying experiences that destroy their natural ability to deal intelligently with animals. This causes conflict.
Solution: Badly behaved animals must be trained, controlled or removed from where they cause damage. Provide support to report all aggressive and badly behaved animals to their owners and encourage them to take responsibility.
On the street, a dog that behaves aggressively must be reported to the municipal authorities for removal.
Ignorance to animal behaviour causes conflict. Here are a few things to remember when dealing with animals:
Running can cause the animal to chase you. It is best to turn, walk slowly and ignore the creature. Never approach or disturb a mother caring for her young as she could attack you.
Stray animals could overpopulate and thereby cause conflict. We all know that `garbage = strays'. Yet we keep creating garbage and wish the strays would vanish!
Solution: Humane population control measures and responsible community garbage management. The Animal Birth Control and Anti Rabies Vaccination Programme (ABC/AR) as recommended by the Stray Animal Control Rules, Govt. of India, is a safe, legal and time-tested way of dealing with strays in your locality. Enrol your community today!
Here are some encouraging results to share: Balaiah, leader of Rajiv Gandhi Nagar in Yousufguda says, " Since the sterilisation and vaccination of dogs in 2004, we have become friends with the operated dogs and are happy with the programme."
Cruelty to animals goes unnoticed, un-prevented causing conflict. Even poisons have created havoc in the environment. The Blue Cross and other animal support groups dream of an animal friendly neighbourhood, committed to creating responsible ownership, bird, animal and wildlife friendly communities. Make this your dream too. Make copies and provide this information to your neighbourhood.
Listen to people's problems regarding animals and support them with solutions as follows:
If you see pet abuse or neglect, counsel the owners and offer support.
Zoonotic and communicable diseases: More than half of all rabies cases that come to Blue Cross are pets that have not been vaccinated. Request all pet owners to vaccinate their pets.
Animal Aggression: Ensure removal and humane destruction.
For two wheelers being chased by dogs at night: Understand that dogs love a good chase. However, keep in mind not all dogs that chase intend to bite! Befriend the dogs during the day or carry rusks, biscuits and scatter to a chasing pack; carry a water pistol and squirt them with water. Be sure to carry a stick while walking alone at night to deter the dogs and never be afraid to do the right thing to protect yourself and your community.
Barking dogs: It's easy to complain about strays barking, but they make your neighbourhood safe. What if a pet dog barks and the owners don't prevent it?
Earlier the barking of nearby dogs would disturb my neighbors. I presented them earplugs to use at night and they are not disturbed any more. A sympathetic ear always finds a solution!
Understand and support people, empower them with proper action for Rabies cases, dog bites, or animal related problems.
Snakes: Provide the number of Friends of Snakes who will remove venomous snakes that entered homes and cause distress.
Pets: Adopt an Indian dog or cat and show others what wonderful pets they make and their numbers will reduce on the street.
Till next time please bridge conflict!
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