HDMC to take up massive sterilisation of stray dogs

HDMC to take up massive sterilisation of stray dogs
Source: HDMC Website

Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has taken up massive sterilisation of stray dogs in twin cities with the co-operation of NSS unit of SDM Medical College and Hospital. In the next couple of months, about 3,000 to 4,000 stray dogs in HubliDharwad cities would be sterilised.

Like other big cities, the menace of stray dogs had become a headache for the corporation authorities all these years. Although, it contacted a Pune-based organisation to help in the sterilization programme a few months ago, the idea was dropped keeping in mind the high cost involved.

The NSS unit of SDM Medical College came to the rescue of HDMC to check the growing population of stray dogs in twin cities. Some veterinary doctors also joined hands in this endeavor.

After several rounds of talks, the programme was finally launched in Dharwad on Monday. According to the plan, HDMC staff catch stray dogs in every ward, sterilise them and release them in the same area. How ever, rabid dogs will be killed. It would take at least one and a half years to two years before dog population could come down automatically.

Till recently, the corporation was flooded with the calls from general public on the menace of stray dogs and wanted action in this regard.

Dr A C Swamy, health officer of HDMC told Deccan Herald that to begin with, they would be taking up sterilisation two days in a week in Hubli and Dharwad cities. According to an estimate, it would take some months before the 3,000 to 4,000 stray dogs in twin cities are sterilised. The cooperation of citizens would be crucial for the success of the programme.

The corporation was only sterilising them and not killing any dog, Swamy clarified. The steps taken in controlling stray dog population were purely in the interest of general public.

A similar exercise had been launched in Bangalore City and Hubli was the second city to have such a programme. "Our endeavour is to check the growth of dog's population in Hubli-Dharwad cities"