THROWN to the dogs. That's what's happened to life in Lautoka.
In a city where the canine rules, I lie awake most nights wondering whether any animal activist lives in Lautoka, let alone my neighbourhood.
I wonder whether any of them have children who have been bitten by a dog, not once but twice.
Or whether any of them wake up to rubbish strewn all over their yard. Rubbish that sometimes does not belong to them.
Barking, chasing, snarling, growling, snapping at every movement - stray dog nuisance is an all night, all day problem.
I understand these animals have great scenting abilities, have great speed and have keen eyesight but how can I appreciate these gifts when all they want to do is sneak in under my fence, tear into my rubbish in the middle of the night, strew litter all over my compound, upset rubbish bins awaiting pick-up on the main road, chase, snarl and bark after my ride no matter how many times I make the trip in a day, and snap at me every time I want to leave my compound.
All this and I am not complaining about them fouling wherever they want. And if that is not enough, they move in packs and howl and growl into the night - the group barks as loud as a clap of thunder outside your yard.
Then it's like a rolling motion in the distance. Like a chain reaction, it's a roll call where every dog within earshot has to make itself heard.
I have never given much thought to dogs and I have no quarrel with animal lovers. But right now, I just want them rid off in the city. I need my sleep. I need my space and I want my freedom back.
As a taxpayer I have a right to public roads. But as much as I would love to, I cannot take walks for exercise or for leisure.
On my street, you will find no less than three dogs sitting by the road outside almost every home.
Unleashed and free to roam, it is hard to tell whether they are owned or strays.
Nobody seems to care.
It's a costly inconvenience for I have to catch a cab every day to work and back - when I could rather easily hop onto the bus.
My movement is restricted to the confines of our gated yard. I have often thought of suing the responsible authorities to recover my losses.
The stray dog problem in Lautoka has not been resolved despite a spate of dog bites that have landed a few in hospital.
Animal activists are adamant they should be trapped and neutered as a means of controlling population.
Obviously this measure isn't working for their numbers are growing by the day.
It's true that we should shun cruelty but what has happened to our sense of proportion,
Do we need someone to be mauled to death to shock us into taking serious steps?
Or do we need an outbreak of dog flea or rabies to stir some urgency in resolving the problem. It would appear so.
For you can, neuter them all you want but it does not help when they are released back on the streets, being a nuisance for the rest of their dog lives.
My question may seem barbaric but here goes: Why are we so tolerant of dogs - not pets - but strays that cause direct harm to humans?