Kohima, April 29 (EMN): A cocker spaniel named Gifty and Hunter, who love to pose for selfie, were adjudged as winners of 2017 Dog Show in the pure breed and mixed breed categories organised by the Nagaland State Veterinary Council (NSVC) in commemoration of the ‘World Veterinary Day’ at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, this morning.
A total of 15 dogs of various breeds took part in the show, which was categorised into two groups as mixed breed and pure/thorough breed. The show was organised to encourage pet lovers and provide a platform for dog owners to showcase talents of their pets.
In the pure breed category, the first three winners were awarded with cash prizes of Rs 10,000, Rs 7000 and Rs 5000, while in the mixed breed category winners were awarded with cash prizes of Rs 7000, Rs 5000 and Rs 3000 along with gift hampers and commendation certification. All the participants were awarded with gift hampers and Rs 1000 each.
‘Midnight’- a Dalmatian and first runners up in the pure breed category, has an interesting story. ‘Midnight’ is a ‘special’ dog as he was born deaf and his owners communicate with him through sign languages.
Limatila, owner of Midnight, says ‘he was meant for us’ though they didn’t know he was deaf when he was first brought home one midnight, and so he was named. Despite being deaf, she says ‘Midnight’ is intelligent, smart and very obedient, though he sometimes tends to be aggressive. She narrated instances where they have to pay fine to the tune of Rs 10000 once for biting someone, which infuriated her father and decided to kill ‘Midnight.’
However, she said they didn’t give up and begged her father to keep him. Today he is four years old. Not denying the challenges in communicating with her dog and the high cost of having a dog, Limatila said it was all worth it.
She said ‘Midnight’ is always the first to greet them when they return from office adding he never forgets to keep their shoes and bags to its right places without asking him to do. She also told that ‘Midnight’ always bring her own leash for his walk and sweater during winter.
Declaring opened the dog show, MLA Dr. Nicky Kire said owing a dog of the best breed and costliest dog is not the end, but how the pets are being treated and taken care of by their owners is what matters most of all.
He also urged the department to provide health care machines like x-rays for better health treatment of the pet animals.
Speaking on behalf of the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC), Dr. Amenla Walling, while urging animal owners to know their responsibilities of owning a pet animal especially dogs, outlined the role of the municipals or the local bodies for better co-habitation and streamlining through regulations as issues of man-animals conflict occurs.
While lamenting that the response of the public was poor in regard to the initiative on dog control programme which was carried out two years back, Dr. Walling was optimistic that with this beginning, the realisation process in the minds of the people will be set into motion for a better cooperation in the future.
She also emphasised on the need for sensitisation and an understanding on the importance of their own roles by the district administration, municipal, animal owners and the public in general lest imposing of rules and regulations alone would be futile.
Dean of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry College, CAU Jalukie, Dr. Captain GDJ Rao, and the Superintendent of Police, Joseph Hesso, also spoke on the occasion. Special appearance was presented by the Dog Squad, DEF Kohima.
Judges for the dog show were Dr. Doreen Peseyie as the chief judge; Dr. Michael Imti Imchen and Dr. Sungkum Jamir.
