The Times of India           05.02.2014

Cuncolim Municipal Council to undertake dog census

CUNCOLIM: Cuncolim Municipal Council (CMC) has kicked off a 'dog census' campaign in all 10 wards of the municipal council.

The council has instructed its poundkeeper to carry out a census of domestic dogs in wards.

Chairperson Devendra Dessai told TOI that the council has already completed the census in three wards and the remaining wards will be completed within 15 days. CMC has asked all dog owners to register their dogs with the census team. The CMC wants to identify the stray dogs and wants to control the stray dog population.

It has made an agreement with the NGO, Goa Animal Welfare Trust, which is being paid 700 per trip and 50 per dog for sterilization.

Dessai told TOI that the CMC's objective is to make Cuncolim a 'zero rabbies' town.

He appealed to all citizens to cooperate with the council in curbing the stray dog menace in the town. The council is also working upon a scheme to start a dog shelter at the Cuncolim industrial estate. It is learnt that the Goa Animal Welfare Trust has not visited Cuncolim town over the last two months. The council has sent them three remainders but the NGO has failed to act upon the agreement, said the CMC sources.