Owner remains defiant
SHILLONG: A group of dogs belonging to one Robert Street near Garrison Ground here has created havoc, biting the nearby residents with no pro-active steps being taken by the owner of these German Shepherds which do not have collars and tags as mandated by the Shillong Municipal Board.
The matter was even reported to the police and the Municipal Board for necessary action.
“Last Friday at around 6 am during a morning walk, four dogs came out of the residence of Robert and attacked me. While trying to chase away the dogs, I fell in front of a passing Bolero vehicle. But the alert driver stopped the vehicle and averted the possible accident,” said Pravin Chandhoke, a nearby resident on Sunday.
Later, the matter was taken up with the Rangbah Dong, Laban police and the Municipal board.
“Yesterday I went along with the Laban police to the residence of the owner of dogs, but he refused to come out and the gate was locked. He sent his wife and daughter to speak to us,” Chandhoke said.
According to Chandhoke, the owner of the dogs did not take responsibility for the incident and instead claimed that some other dogs may have been involved in the attack.
“He (Robert) kept on arguing with me and even asked me to identify the dog which bit me. Moreover, he asked the police to find out the number of my vehicle as if I was guilty,” Chandhoke said
His aunt, Rani Anand, who also suffered a similar fate, narrated how she was attacked by the same dogs.
“It was on June 30 during morning walk to the area. The gate of the house remained opened. At least seven German shepherds bounced on me and my legs hit a boulder. Though the caretaker came out, a dog bit me on my arm and right leg. There is a need to take action against the owner of these dogs for his careless attitude,” Anand said.
The owner of the dogs was not available for comments.
When contacted, the Additional Chief Secretary in charge Urban Affairs P. Naik said that he will inquire into the matter and also assured that necessary steps will be taken to ensure that dogs of the private owners do not create problems for the residents.
“We will also look into the punishment clauses,” he added.
Stray dog menace
Another cause of worry is the rise in number of stray dogs in parts of the city.
“One cannot walk at certain period of time in areas infested with stray dogs,” a few affected people said.
The Additional Chief Secretary P. Naik said the matter will be discussed on Monday to find out ways and means to reduce the growing population of stray dogs.