Over 4,000 stray dogs identified on public premises in Udupi district

Stating that as many as 4,405 stray dogs had been identified on different public premises in the district, Udupi Deputy Commissioner T.K. Swaroopa on Monday, December 22, directed officials to immediately operationalise stray animal pounds across the district.

Chairing a district level meeting on containing stray dog menace at Rajatadri, District Office Complex in Manipal, Ms. Swaroopa said the Supreme Court direction on regulation and birth control of stray dogs and stray cows should be implemented in total.

The directions were issued to protect the common man from the menace of stray dogs and other stray animals present at educational institutions, hospitals, sports grounds, bus stands, railway stations and other public premises. Steps should be taken to control their birth, she added.

Ms. Swaroopa said officials had so far identified 4,405 stray dogs in identified public premises. Nodal officers were nominated to manage these stray dogs and wherever nodal officers were not yet nominated, the institutions concerned should take immediate steps to nominate one.

The Deputy Commissioner said suitable spaces were already identified in every taluk to keep ferocious stray dogs, whose bite or attack might cause rabies and other diseases.

She asked officials to identify suitable spaces in the remaining two taluks — Brahmavara and Hebri — and arrange for food, water, shade and veterinary care as per the standard operating procedure.

Ms. Swaroopa said urban as well as rural local bodies should periodically undertake sterilisation and vaccination of stray animals.

They may also provide suitable training in dog catching to pourakarmikas if they were willing to catch dogs. She also suggested to local bodies to take the help of donors to maintain stray animals pounds.

There should be adequate coordination between different departments in containing stray dog menace.

Udupi MunicipalCommissioner Mahantesh Hangaragi, Deputy Director of Veterinary Services and Animal Husbandry M.C. Reddappa and others were present.