The Times of India              03.09.2013

389 dogs vaccinated on first day of drive by Nagpur Municipal Corporation, NGOs

NAGPUR: To prevent deaths or disease from rabies, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) in association with a group of NGOs kicked-off its 'mission rabies' in some parts of the city on Monday. Total 389 dogs, mostly strays, were caught and administered anti-rabies vaccine in South Nagpur.

State animal husbandry department and Government Veterinary College joined in the 14-day drive launched by UK-based Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) along with Dogs Trust, Vets for Animals and Indian Society for Animal-Human Welfare (iSAW).

The drive started at around 9am from Hanuman Nagar. Health officer (sanitation) Dr Ashok Urkude, NMC veterinary officer Dr Gajendra Mahalle, assistant commissioner Vijay Humne, zone chairman Raju Nagulwar, corporator Yogesh Tiwari, project coordinator Dr Shridhar Budhe, Dr Shashikant Jadhav, Pramod Kanetkar and others were present. State livestock development officers Dr Abhay Bhalerao and Dr Rajendra Rewatkar too joined the drive.

Seven areas in South Nagpur, including Chandan Nagar, Medical College, Hanuman Nagar, Wanjari Nagar, Rajabaksha, Untkhana and Ajni railway quarters, were covered by five teams. Mahalle told TOI one of the five teams will be stationed at the basketball ground at Hanuman Nagar during the drive to administer vaccine to pet dogs. "Four teams will roam the streets and administer anti-rabies vaccine by catching dogs. Total 40 persons, including veterinary doctors and volunteers from UK, dog catchers, local veterinary doctor etc are part of the five teams," he said.

One millilitre of anti-rabies vaccine is being administered to each dog through syringe. While administering the vaccine, the teams also verify whether sterilization has been performed on the dog. The details of the dog, including its age group, sex etc are also noted.

Total 389 dogs, including strays and pets, were covered on the first day. The target is to administer vaccine to 6,000 dogs in next 13 days. The green team vaccinated 118 dogs, 50 by red, 68 by blue, 114 by orange and 39 were vaccinated by head team.

Along with this, experts from state animal husbandry department and government veterinary college will deliver lectures on rabies and dealing with dogs at 15 schools in South Nagpur.

Under 'mission rabies', the group of NGOs plan to cover around 2 lakh stray and pet dogs in the district by next year. The current drive to vaccinate 6,000 dogs is a pilot project.