Paradip: Civic body authorities have launched a sterilisation drive on stray dogs under the Animal Birth Control Programme to check the population of the canine species.
The corporation has undertaken the drive as stray dog population has climbed alarmingly in the recent months. Consequently dog biting cases have also spurted up. With local hospital running out of anti-rabies vaccines, it had added to the misery of victims bitten by dogs, said executive officer Paradip municipality Dillip Kumar Mohanty.
The civic body was left with no option other than to cage the animals for sterilisation as these species had virtually triggered fear in people at various urban wards of the port township. We are adhering to the rules mandated under the Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals Act while caging and sterilising the animals, Mohanty said.
The drive is also being carried out strictly in conformity with the apex court order. The Supreme Court of India has earlier directed all states and local bodies across the country to take necessary steps to sterilise and vaccinate entire population of stray dogs on the streets, he further said.
"The dog population can only be controlled through sterilisation. The municipal body officials consulted with us to check the canine menace. Acting on our advice, the civic body officials are carrying out the sterilisation. About a two dozen of stray dogs were caged and sterilised on Saturday. After the sterilization, the animals were administered anti-rabies vaccination, said chief district veterinary officer Ramesh Chandra Behera.
Sterilisation is the most viable option to bring down the dog population. Besides being an effective birth control measure, it considerably curbs the aggressive and violent behavioural instinct of dogs, Behera said.
"We freaked out at the sight of stray dogs particularly during the evening. A pack of dogs had gone on a biting spree of late. The drive has given us a relief from the trouble, said a resident of Madhuban locality of the port township, Rashmi Ranjan Routray.
