‘We’ll Take It Later’- Antony Waste Crew Dumps a Dead Dog in Front of House

‘We’ll Take It Later’- Antony Waste Crew Dumps a Dead Dog in Front of House

Mangaluru: As they say that “Dog is Man’s Best Friend”, but when it’s dead, it’s no one’s friend and seems like it is worthless. And here is an example as to how a dead stray dog which was picked up from one place and then dumped in front of a residence near Kulshekar Church. We all have heard about news of Antony Waste Management, that handles the waste/garbage of Mangaluru City Corporation- and most of the times they have been in the news for -not paying their employees salaries in time; not cleaning the streets as per the contract signed; delaying in picking up the residents garbage etc etc.

And now added to yet another complaint by a resident of Kulshekar, where it is learnt that Antony Waste Management Crew brought a dead dog in their van, and dumped it front of his residence. Having noticed this act by the crew, he quickly rushed out of the gate and asked them why are they dumping the dead dog here- for which they rudely replied saying “Don’t worry, we’ll collect it later”. It’s almost a few hours now, the dead dog is still lying in the same spot, yet to be picked up.

Yes we all know, in a city like Mangaluru where the number of pets is growing and several of them die everyday, systematic disposal of the animal carcass has been an issue of concern for a long time. While those living in independent houses can afford to bury the body in their backyards, it is much more challenging for apartment dwellers. Often, the dead pets are thrown on the streets or they end up rotting in a dump yard, canal or in landfills. But in Bengaluru for those who wished to bid a decent adieu to their pets, the only way to do so was to bury their dead pets at the cemetery operated by non-profit organisation People for Animals (PFA).

MCC/Antony Waste Management handles disposal of dead animals or the Animal Control Board- but whatever be the case, you are not supposed to dump a dead dog picked up at one location in front of a house gate- just like what the Antony Waste Management employees did. So what is the solution for this? If the garbage handling staff don’t want to take a dead dog and dispose it at a proper place rather than dump it in front of a house- MCC has to come up with an answer for this act. Or the public has to show their sympathies to dead dogs or animals that are left on the streets for days and to rot.

I am not sure whether MCC/Antony Waste Management handles disposal of dead animals or the Animal Control Board- but whatever be the case, you are not supposed to dump a dead dog picked up at one location in front of a house gate- just like what the Antony Waste Management employees did. So what is the solution for this? If the garbage handling staff don’t want to take a dead dog and dispose it at a proper place rather than dump it in front of a house- MCC has to come up with an answer for this act. Or the public has to show their sympathies to dead dogs or animals that are left on the streets for days and to rot.

There is a simple way to provide dignity to dogs that die by the roadside with no one to care for their carcasses: Bury the animal and plant a sapling at the spot, in a gesture of a lasting tribute to the dog. The idea of planting a new life in the ground lends more meaning to the burial, with death begetting life. Mostly dogs die on the road either due to speeding vehicles or because of some disease. The fact is that people are hesitant to approach such a corpse out of revulsion or fear of infection as it also smells. Even crematoria are not always a viable option, as they are either expensive or inconveniently located. Compassion is gone and let’s make our attempt to bring it back.

Updated: It is now learnt that the driver of the Antony Waste Management, which hauls away garbage for MCC, as promised by him that he would pick up the dead later, had come at night and took the dog away- could be to bury it or dispose it off at someone else’s front gate??- you never know. But I appreciate the driver’s words of promise. But what if the member of the house had not noticed the dead dog being dumped in front of his house- the dead dog would have been there for days, rotting. Just because the member of the house had an argument with the driver, he budged to take the dog away later, fearing the news may appear in the media. Anyways the news did appear, but it did awareness among the staff of Antony waste Management not to dump dead animals taken from one place to another location. Beware- you’ll be watched!