Schools Reopen, Dogs Menace Returns

Hyderabad: Several parents of students have raised complaints about the stray dog menace around schools in the city. They decry that though schools had reopened a month back, neither the management nor GHMC officials had taken steps to resolve the issue.

"The menace began to rise around March, and peaked during summer but we thought it would get better after the vacation as the weather won't make them aggressive. The delayed monsoon has aggravated the problem, and our fears. When we raised concerns about the same, the school reached out to municipal officials who came up with a just a piece of advice-tell the kids not to feed dogs," said Paresh S, whose four-year-old son studies at a primary school in Banjara Hills.

Another parent, Harish Manthena, told Deccan Chronicle that when he spoke to the correspondent of his child's school, they blamed the irresponsible dumping of garbage by people in the colony.

"They said they would call municipal officials to neuter the dogs and raise awareness in the colony for better waste disposal. This conversation happened three months back but things remain the same," he said.

Shrutika, a class 8 student, said that she worried for her six-year-old brother as they have to walk back home after school.

"So many of my friends are scared of these dogs. They tend to be calm when alone but appear threatening when in groups. We have been told to wait until they leave," she told DC.

According to many parents DC spoke to, some of the schools where the menace is seemingly include SVIS school in Bandlaguda's Bhavani colony; Netaji school Shivajinagar in Rajjanabowli; First Cry and

Iris school (both Radhanagar colony); Sloka school Balapur crossroads; St. Paul's high school Hyderguda; Rainbow school Padmanagar; Narayana school Serilingampally and Azaan school in Tolichowki.

Ramanjeet Singh, member of Hyderabad School Parents Association (HSPA) said that stray dogs around schools have been a persistent problem and the number of dogs has grown in the past few months.

"Looks like GHMC officials have not learnt lessons well. There isn't much worry with international schools where most students use the school buses. It is students from government and other regular schools, who wait for their regular auto or walk back home, who are under pressure. Parents have to follow up with the authorities until they swing into action," he said.

A few schools where parents are worried about stray dogs:

SVIS School in Bandlaguda's Bhavani Colony
Netaji School at Shivajinagar in Rajjanabowli
First Cry in Radhanagar Colony
Iris School in Radhanagar Colony
Sloka School at the Balapur Crossroads
Saint Paul's High School in Hyderguda
Rainbow School at Padmanagar
Narayana school at Serilingampally
Azaan school in Tolichowki