The Hindu : Front Page : Sterilisation of stray dogs to touch 1,000-mark soon

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 25, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Sterilisation of stray dogs to touch 1,000-mark soon

Shastry V. Mallady

Corporation plans to make Madurai a rabies-free city

SAFE GROUP: Some of the sterilised stray dogs. — Photo: K. Ganesan

MADURAI: The Animal Birth Control Programme launched by the Madurai Corporation on April 20 will reach its first landmark in the next few days.

It will be completing sterilisation and immunisation with anti-rabies vaccine of 1000 street dogs through the model project.

Unlike in Chennai, where the Corporation's role ended with catching the animals, as sterilisation was taken up by non-governmental organisations, the Madurai Corporation had been doing both, G. Vengatesan, veterinary surgeon, said on Thursday.

The birth control surgeries are being carried out at a special theatre that has both pre and post-operative care facilities. The local body has trained manpower for catching the stray dogs without injuring them.

"So far, 980 dogs have been sterilised in batches (15 dogs per day). After surgery, the dogs are left on the streets," Dr. Vengatesan said.

In post-operative care, the dogs are given bread and milk daily. After the surgery, an identification mark is given on the ears of dogs to make it clear that they are vaccinated and sterilised.

9,500 dogs in city

According to the dog census, the total population of stray dogs in the Corporation area is approximately 9,500. The birth control programme is spread over three years.

The District Collector, Mayor and Corporation Commissioner have visited the centre and monitored the progress.

Dr. Vengatesan said the aim was to make the city rabies-free.

Monitoring committee

A monitoring committee, comprising Corporation officials and representatives from Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Animal Welfare Board, has been formed to look into the safety of dogs.

The City Health Officer, N. Kathiresan, said a function was planned for next week to highlight the success so far in this trend-setting project.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page