The Hindu 07.06.2013
Mayor clarifies on proposed dog shelters
The Animal Welfare Board of India on Thursday asked the Chennai Corporation to discontinue measures that may violate animal birth control rules.
Representatives of Animal Welfare Board of India met with senior officials of the Chennai Corporation, following concerns raised by NGOs on the proposal for dog shelters.
The civic body had announced that work on the first dog shelter was under way in Kannamapet, sparking speculations about the facilities.
A number of NGOs wrote to the civic body asking officials to clarify if it would restrain dogs.
Construction is on at the 35,000 sq. ft. of space that was earmarked by the Corporation in the vicinity of Kannamapet burial ground. As many as 2,000 dogs are likely to be accommodated in the shelter and the facility will not be used to restrain dogs, said an official of Chennai Corporation.
“Over 5 percent of the 1.7 lakh dogs in the city are infirm. The plan was to take care of sick animals and rehabilitate them after they are declared fit,” he said.
The lack of suitable space for the facilities had forced the Corporation to earmark excess space in burial grounds. “The initiative was taken to help infirm animals only. We have to solve civic problems without violating any rules,” said Mayor Saidai Duraisamy.
Based on requests by residents, in a day, over 100 dogs are subjected to birth-control procedure.
Animal Welfare Board of India representatives met Corporation officials, following concerns raised by NGOs.
