Indian Express 07.04.2010
Neutering stray dogs campaign a success, to reach city wards
Anuradha Mascarenhas Tags : corporation, dogs campaign Posted: Wednesday, Apr 07, 2010 at 0237 hrs
Pune: With the Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (CNVR) method of managing the stray dogs in the city being termed a success, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is planning to decentralise the activity at the ward level and provide smaller dog vans from next week.
Dr R R Pardeshi, Chief Medical Officer, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) said smaller dog vans will be provided at the ward level so that the complaints in the area about stray dog menace can be easily managed. The PMC in association with the Blue Cross Society sterilised 3,000 dogs in 2009 with the new CNVR method.
Anjali Paranjape, spokesperson of Blue Cross Society, said this method is more humane and an efficient surgical technique ensures that dogs are released on the same day in their own areas. Also, the puppies of the strays will find a home as the Blue Cross Society in association with PMC has urged people to adopt them.
Paranjape said they were willing to go to areas to provide this technique and manage the dog population. All we need is two rooms, water and electricity to conduct the programme, she said.
On Tuesday, the PMC’s ward office at Bibvewadi provided space for the Blue Cross Society to carry their activity and conduct the CNVR technique to manage the stray dog population, said Dr D B Pardeshi, assistant health officer, PMC.
CNVR is a quick and efficient way to manage community dogs. When done using modern surgical techniques and materials, it does not require days of sheltering for recovery and the animals can be released safely back to their territories or to their owners, says Paranjape.
Since 1995, the Blue Cross Society in association with the PMC has been implementing the Animal Birth Control and Anti Rabies programme and 28,000 dogs have been sterilised till 2009. As against 30 deaths due to rabies in 1995, the figure has come down to zero. Annually, however, 7,000-8000 dog bite cases are being registered.
Meanwhile, a novel plan has been launched to ensure that pups of stray dogs get new homes — adoption camps for the puppies of stray dogs. The first such camp was held in January and 68 pups got new homes. A second camp is scheduled for May.
