Jamshedpur: Alarmed by the increasing reports of stray dog bites from different parts of the city, Jusco has constituted a special team to sterilise the canines.
The team, which began operations from Wednesday, is using snare poles to catch dogs. The canines are being taken to Bagunhatu sterilisation centre, managed by Jusco, where they will be kept for 4-7 days after sterilisation before being released in the respective areas from where they were captured.
The entire process is being carried out in accordance with the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
"We are using snare poles to catch stray dogs. The dog-catchers have been trained to tackle the canines without causing injury. We will soon procure hoops with butterfly nets to ensnare dogs in a safer way," Jusco spokesperson Rajesh Rajan said, adding the move comes in the backdrop of a directive by East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Amit Kumar following recent incidents of dog bites.
The snare pole has a cable in the form of a loop and is gently put around the dog's neck. Using the cord, the cable is tightened till the loop fits snugly on the neck. The pole is used to manoeuvre the dog into the transport van.
In February this year, a six-year old boy had died after being bitten by a pack of stray dogs in Birsanagar near Golmuri while another five-year old sustained injuries.
"Hospitals across city are witnessing around five cases of dog bites daily. Each day, we have set a target of catching between 15 and 20 stray dogs. Yesterday (Wednesday), the drive was carried out at Sakchi and Bistupur areas. Today (Thursday), we picked up strays from Bistupur, Sonari and Kadma," Rajesh Rajan said.
According to Jusco records, there are nearly 20,000 strays in the city out of which around 11,000 have been sterilised since Jusco programme began in 2014.
After sterilization of the bitch and male dog (castration), following supervision of the veterinary surgeon, they are released back to the same locality after usually four days or maximum one week of the surgery.
