SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Stray Dogs Welfare Organisation (MSDWO), in collaboration with the office of the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, organized an awareness programme on ‘Stray Dogs Protection, Precaution and Prevention’ on Saturday on the Bharat Scouts and Guides premises.
UDP working president Jemino Mawthoh, who was the chief guest at the event, expressed concern over the rise in cases of dog bites in the city. “When I raised the issue of taking care of stray dogs with the State government, it said there was fund allocated to take care of stray dogs,” he said, and added that the Government did not have fund to pay salaries of the Shillong Municipal Board staff, let alone build a shelter home for stray dogs. However, Mawthoh lauded the MSDWO’s effort and urged the communities to co-operate in tackling the problem. As per MSDWO, only 458 dogs were registered with the Shillong Municipal Board and there are only two dog catchers and no shelter home for stray dogs. The MSDWO data shows 25, 447 cases of dog bites have been reported between 2010 and 2016.
MSDWO was formed and registered on May 19 this year with an aim to work for the welfare of dogs and to tackle the danger arising out of the increasing number of strays in and around the city.
