The Times of India 27.07.2012
Corporation mulls project to tag pet dogs
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Pet dogs
in the city are soon likely to sport an extra fitting in addition to
their neck collars. The corporation has finalized a proposal to
distinguish every pet dog being owned by city residents with a tag. The
project will be implemented as part of the corporation's efforts to make
licences mandatory for owning and rearing pet dogs in the city.
The decision was taken on Monday after the legislative assembly discussed the stray dog menace in the city. "We have found that many owners abandon their dogs on the streets once they become old, injured or ill. Earlier, the corporation used to issue small brass plates which would be hung around the neck of the pet dogs as part of the licencing system. While abandoning the pets, people throw away the brass plates which make it difficult for the corporation to identify the owner. That is why we are planning to introduce a permanent tagging system for each dog," said health standing committee chairperson S Pushpalatha.
An official of the corporation health wing said that the project will be implemented only after ensuring the co-operation of all pet owners. "We are looking at a small tag with the emblem of the corporation that will most likely be attached to the ear of the dog. The idea is to individualize the dogs," said the official.
The corporation has also decided to revamp the licencing system for owning pet dogs. All dog owners will be required to get their pets immunized and obtain an immunization certificate from veterinary hospitals. The licence will be issued only after the certificate is produced.
A nominal fee will also be charged for issuing the licence. The corporation will also distribute newly formulated health cards in veterinary hospitals which will be given to the pet owners at the time of issuance of licence. The health card will carry details regarding the diet, immunization and vaccination of dogs.
"This is just one of the steps involved in curbing the number of stray dogs on the streets. The health cards will also help in the speedy treatment of the dogs once they get afflicted with any disease," said Pushpalatha.
In a bid to tackle the stray dog menace, the corporation will also appoint more doctors in its veterinary hospitals for conducting sterilization of stray dogs in an effective manner.
The decision was taken on Monday after the legislative assembly discussed the stray dog menace in the city. "We have found that many owners abandon their dogs on the streets once they become old, injured or ill. Earlier, the corporation used to issue small brass plates which would be hung around the neck of the pet dogs as part of the licencing system. While abandoning the pets, people throw away the brass plates which make it difficult for the corporation to identify the owner. That is why we are planning to introduce a permanent tagging system for each dog," said health standing committee chairperson S Pushpalatha.
An official of the corporation health wing said that the project will be implemented only after ensuring the co-operation of all pet owners. "We are looking at a small tag with the emblem of the corporation that will most likely be attached to the ear of the dog. The idea is to individualize the dogs," said the official.
The corporation has also decided to revamp the licencing system for owning pet dogs. All dog owners will be required to get their pets immunized and obtain an immunization certificate from veterinary hospitals. The licence will be issued only after the certificate is produced.
A nominal fee will also be charged for issuing the licence. The corporation will also distribute newly formulated health cards in veterinary hospitals which will be given to the pet owners at the time of issuance of licence. The health card will carry details regarding the diet, immunization and vaccination of dogs.
"This is just one of the steps involved in curbing the number of stray dogs on the streets. The health cards will also help in the speedy treatment of the dogs once they get afflicted with any disease," said Pushpalatha.
In a bid to tackle the stray dog menace, the corporation will also appoint more doctors in its veterinary hospitals for conducting sterilization of stray dogs in an effective manner.
