A group of women horticulturists at the Old Jeshwang Garden, on Monday, stormed the offices of the Daily Observer, crying for help against the plague created by an increase in the number of stray dogs in the Jeshwang area.

They alleged that the dogs intrude into their garden, destroying their vegetables. According to their accounts, these stray dogs come from the creek, enter their garden at night and dig holes all over the garden. The women added that it has reached a stage where they have been forced to stay at the garden until late at night to drive away the dogs. They also expressed their fears over the fact that of late, the dogs have become more aggressive.

"We sometimes mix fertilisers with rice and give  it to them to eat so they will die but then you see more dogs the following night. We don't know what kind of dogs they are; we are even afraid of them," one of the women said. According to another gardener, they had reported the matter to the military, but the soldiers stressed that they must get orders before they could do anything.

"We are now calling on the government and all other concerned people who can help, to rescue us from these stray dogs," one of them said. When contacted on the matter, 2nd Lt Omar B Bojang, the army PRO, said he was unaware of any such demand by any group of women and added that such matters should be forwarded to the police for immediate action.