Indian city calls on licenced gun-owners to shoot nuisance pigs

Fed up with an increasing pig population in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, the civic body is seeking 'shooters' who can shoot the pigs. Local residents have been affected by the pigs to such an extent that the authorities were forced to take this decision and even floated a tender for it.

The 'shooter' must have a licenced gun and cartridges. The applicant has to accompany a copy of his licence and apply to the municipal council, which will later decide the rates. After the bids are received, the municipal authorities will take a decision on giving contract to the shooters on the basis of the rates offered by the applicants.



However, animal rights' activists have come up in defence of the pigs and criticised the move. Activist Puneet Tripathi said that the civic authorities must not shoot the pigs. "This is cruel and it is not the solution. In fact, other options like shifting the pigs, by removing them from the town, should be considered."

The municipal authorities will take a decision by May 15 which will be the last date for receiving applications. Subsequently, the shooters will be selected. Sources in the municipal council said care would be taken in selecting the shooters, as no citizen should accidentally get injured in the shooting of pigs.