The Times of India               27.07.2013

Corporation plans to revive Animal Birth Control project

KOZHIKODE: Kozhikode corporation has finally taken steps to find a permanent solution for canine menace in its limits.

The civic body has decided to take steps to implement the comprehensive Animal Birth Control (ABC) programe.

The civic body has been inviting the wrath of the people from all walks of life for not taking steps to control canine population.

The meeting of the veterinary officials held on Thursday in the corporation decided to revive the animal birth control (ABC) programme.

The civic body had taken steps after the stray dog menace remained unabated. The civic body has been receiving complaints about the attacks of stray dogs.

The instances of attacks on stray dogs also have been reported from various parts of the corporation limit including Varakkal, Athanikkal, West Hill, Bhatt Road, East Hill, Medical College, Kallai, Chungam and Malaparamba. The instances of stray dogs attacking two-wheelers have also been reported from city limit.

The civic body is planning to implement licensing to own a dog and special license for dog breeders. Each dog will also be given a RFID (radio frequency identification) tag to easily track them incase if they get lost. The move also aims to create awareness among public about pet rearing.

The ABC programme will ensure timely immunization and sterilization of the stray dogs in the corporation limit. Another plan is to sterilize street dogs in the corporation limit. The veterinary surgeon will carry out sterilization and vaccination to control the canine population. The civic body will appoint dog catchers and veterinary surgeons with the help of state government.

The civic body has also decided to set up animal rehabilitation and adoption centres with the help of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) to control canine population in its limit.

Health standing committee chairperson Janamma Kunjunni said that the a detailed meeting about the ABC programme implementation will be made at a meeting of the health standing committee on July 30."We wish to put a permanent solution to the stray dog menace in the corporation limit. A final blue print of the scheme will be made in the meeting,'' she said.

Dr P P Kanaran, senior veterinary surgeon, Beypore, said that they submitted a detailed ABC project report to the corporation three years ago.