PEC varsity team designs animal repellent

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 6

Taking serious note of increase in cases of attack on children and senior citizens by stray dogs and monkeys, the PEC University of Technology has designed an animal repellent to shoo away animals. The PEC Centre for Excellence in Industrial and Product Designing has designed two models of animal repellent, one of which can be mounted on a two-wheeler while the other can be used on a walking stick.

The centre co-coordinator, Prof Neelam Rup Prakash, who was also involved in the product designing, said the device for the walking stick was designed keeping senior citizens in mind, who usually complained of stray dog and monkey menace in their surroundings.

The university would apply for the patent of this product so that it could be made available to the public. The university could also tie up with a company to launch this product. Though the cost of the product was yet to be finalised, the university would charge a nominal amount for the device, she said. She said she was bitten by a stray dog long back after which she stopped going for regular walks on the campus. Residents of the campus also complain of monkey menace. Reports of damage to vehicles by animals are common.

She said taking note of these problems, the device was designed by five members — two faculty members and three students.

The university would also contact the UT for use of the device in the city.