JMC reviews measures to control stray dog population

Jammu, February 23

Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) Commissioner Rahul Yadav chaired Animal Birth Control (ABC) and Anti Rabies Vaccinations (ARV) monitoring committee meeting to review the current status of ongoing programme within JMC limits. For the effective management of street dog population and to curb the spread of rabies both in humans as well as animals, ABC/ARV programme is being carried out by the JMC within its limits. The meeting was attended by all members of ABC monitoring committee, including Dr Vinod Sharma, Health Officer, JMC, Divya Sharma, veterinary officer, among others.

During the meeting, discussions were held on the various aspects and progress of the ongoing ABC/ARV program being implemented by JMC in collaboration with Friendicoes-SECA (Delhi-based animal welfare organisation) at Municipal Animal Care Centre, Roop Nagar, Jammu.

Veterinary officer Divya Sharma informed that in the past three years, 20,112 stray dogs have been sterilised with ward wise complaint basis catching and all sterilised dogs have been relocated in the same area from where they were caught. As per JMC, the street dog population in city limits is nearly 50,000.

For the regulation of pet dog population within JMC limits, committee decided that JMC shall intensify the awareness campaigns as well as enforcement drives for pet dog registration with mandatory spaying of female pet dog.

JMC Commissioner expressed satisfaction about the implementation of the ABC programme and further advised that more emphasis should be laid on those areas where more unsterilised dog population still exists. He directed the officials to intensify the information, education and communication activities to educate the general public by involving schools, colleges and Resident Welfare Associations about the effectiveness of ABC/ARV program in helping to reduce street dog population as well as eradicating rabies.