The New Indian Express 12.07.2013
With the rising number of stray dogs in the city, Corporation
authorities have decided to speed up matters regarding the proposed
animal rehabilitation and adoption centre project, at the Lok Adalat
sitting held in the city the other day. As the Animal Birth Control
(ABC) measures have proven ineffective in controlling the population of
stray dogs in the city residents are the victims to the aggression by
these canines.
As many as 15 stray dog attacks are being reported daily
on an average from various parts of the city such as Medical College
premises, Malaparamba, West Hill, East Hill, Chungam and Bhatt Road.
Local authorities failed to take measures stating that stray dogs cannot
be killed according to the Animal Welfare Board. However, with the new
project charted out civic authorities are hoping that it will prove to
be an effective solution to curb the stray dog population.
According to
the project guidelines, local authorities will entrust NGOs to set up an
animal rehabilitation centre for which they will be provided with `2
lakh. Funds will also be provided to set up kennels and provide food and
vaccination. The Calicut Chamber of Commerce has already approached the
Corporation with their plan to set up an NGO called ‘Calicut Animal
Lover’s Club’ to control the stray dog population without killing them. P
T S Unni, President of the Calicut Chamber of Commerce and Industries,
says, “We have approached the Kozhikode Corporation for a suitable land
to set up the centre. Authorities have assured that they will look into
it.
We are hoping that our plans will take off in two months time.” The
Calicut Animal Lovers Club will function as a rehabilitation-
cum-adoption centre and also aims at changing people’s attitude towards
stray dogs by promoting them as community dogs. Chief Veterinary Officer
John Kattakkayam says, “The first step by the Corporation should be to
make licensing compulsory for all dog owners. Many owners are seen
abandoning their dogs. This can be avoided if the licensing system is
implemented properly.
Secondly, vaccination should be made compulsory
and they should introduce an electronic chip system as well. This will
help in keeping a tab on the dogs in the city.” Corporation Health
Standing Committee chairperson Janamma Kunjunni said, “The Animal Birth
Control is ineffective here since we do not have any dog handlers. A few
NGO’s have approached us already. Preliminary discussions are over.”
