City gets its first dog park

Kondapur: Chief Secretary Shailendra Joshi along with principal secretary Aravind Kumar inaugurated various Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) parks here on Thursday. Every park was developed on a unique theme suc.h as Water Harvesting Park, Pet Park and Panchatantra Park in the city.

GHMC Commissioner Dana Kishore, Zonal Commissioner Hari Chandana Dasari, Vakil and Ilka Hormila trainer consultant, Mohd Adil Alam Khan, treasurer of Hyderabad Canine Club, Abhishek Nath, Director of Ixora group, Loo Cafe Washrooms by Ixora, were present on the occasion. The India’s first-ever Dog Park, located in Kondapur, has all the facilities that dog owners can ask for right from dog food to medical treatment.

Chief Secretary Shailendra said, “In a metro city like Hyderabad, a pet park was a necessity where pets like dogs can move freely. The dog lovers raise their pet just like a family member. Food for the dog, veterinary doctors, trainers and play equipment are all available for the dogs at this park.” “Moreover, by introducing such facilities for dogs in a park will create an ecosystem where both dogs and humans will be benefited from this. So, I compliment GHMC officers and all the people involved in creating the very first such facility park in the city, Shailendra added.”

Mohd. Adil Alam Khan, treasurer at Hyderabad Canine Club, said, “It's the first park in India to be developed on par with international standards for pets and for parents. It is certified by Kennel Club of India. We have appointed four dog trainers to train dogs at free of cost. The trainers teach dogs to be human-friendly and using play equipment, including dog exercise.” The GHMC has also installed a veterinary aid desk for dogs.

Abhishek Nath, managing director, Ixora Corporate Services, who initiated Loo café in association with GHMC, said, “Loo café is a little different at dog park, as we have also designed washrooms and separate healthy food for dogs.” Ilkka Hormila, instructor for police dogs and consultant trainer at Kennels Club of Hyderabad, said, “In my experience, I have never seen such an open outdoor park for dogs. In Finland and other countries where domestic dogs are in huge numbers, there are no outdoor parks for dogs with such facilities. This park is totally open and dogs won’t feel suffocated thus keeping them healthy and active.

I congratulate GHMC authorities and others who have come up with this initiative of an amazing pet park.” “At the veterinary aid desk, we are giving anti-rabies vaccination (ARV) for dogs and also maintain the medical record of the dog on payment of Rs 50 for yearly ARV and for installing a token on dog’s neck. To register a new dog, the owners should fill in VT 002 application and submit it, along with the declaration of neighbours, at the facility here at Dog Park. The veterinary desk would give treatment upon studying the medical record of the pets maintained by the owners,” said Santosh, shelter manager at GHMC. GHMC CSR activity director Vakil explained the park features in detail.