Berhampur resumes animal birth control programme to manage stray dog population

Berhampur: The animal birth control (ABC) programme, which had been halted for several years in silk city, will resume soon, officials said.The ABC programme, which involves catching, sterilising, vaccinating and releasing dogs to control their population, will be executed by an agency.

Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) and veterinary department will monitor and provide technical support, sources said.“We have already conducted several meetings to finalise the modalities for execution of the programme. As the programme will be executed through an agency, we will soon float a tender for the selection,” said Prathamesh Arvind Rajeshirke, BeMC commissioner, on Saturday.The agency will oversee the entire process, including postoperative care of the animals, the sources added.

“As per the decision, at least 70 dogs will be sterilised each month,” said Ashirvad Parida, BeMC deputy commissioner. “The expenditure for each dog was estimated at Rs 2,000,” he stated.“There will be no problem in implementing the ABC programme, as we have already constructed 20 kennels and have an operation theatre at the veterinary office to sterilise and vaccinate dogs. We have also planned to construct another 20 kennels,” said Parida.

He said that around Rs 53 lakh has been allocated for the project’s implementation this year.Chief district veterinary officer (CDVO), Anjan Kumar Dash, assured the civic body of full technical support for the sterilisation, vaccination and postoperative care of the dogs. “On an average, 15 animal bite victims visit MKCG Medical College and Hospital daily, with most cases involving dogs,” said Durga Madhab Satapathy, MKCG superintendent. “We are creating awareness about regular vaccination of dogs,” said Satapathy, who is also a member of the State Action Plan for Rabies Elimination (SAPRE).“We are facing a stray dog menace in the city. It’s difficult to move at night,” said Prakash Chandra Panda, a resident of Gate Bazaar area.