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.”
