Groups of stray dogs seem to show their presence prominently near malls of the state capital. Dumping of household wastes here has added to their frequent visit. On one side, their visibility is bothering the commuters while on the other, the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) authorities are unaware of the fact.
“Three days back I visited Hi-Street Mall. I was touched to see stray dogs roaming in front of the mall. Earlier, such animals were seen only in the colonies. Their need for food has now brought them in the vicinity of malls since a large crowd found more in Malls than grocery shops or colony lanes,” Rohan Pathak, a singer residing at Ratu Road said.
Similarly, Sandip Pandey, a student of Xavier Institute of Social Services said, “It is quite irritating to see stray dogs near Malls. We prefer driving car instead of motor cycle as dogs often distract our mind by crossing the parking paths.”
However, when the municipal corporation officers were approached they admitted about their ‘unawareness’ on this issue.
“Our squad is already keeping a watch on street dogs. Now, that you have informing us, we will carry out another campaign to stop the menace created by stray dogs,” said RMC deputy chief executive officer Om Prakash Sah.
Sources maintained that the issue is troubling members in various wards as well. “It is irritating to see street dogs wandering near malls. Afterall, we are living in a modernized society. These dogs might harm us someday, “said Niraj Kumar Gupta, a member of Ward number 52. Notably, Helping Organization for People, Environment (HOPE) and Animal Trust helps RMC in sterilizing such dogs and leave them back in areas where they had picked the dogs.