Volunteers feeding stray dogs asked to register with Corpn

According to Chennai Corporation Commissioner G Prakash, residents have been complaining against volunteers and NGOs who feed stray dogs.

“To prevent disputes between them and to protect the dogs, the Animal Welfare Board of India has recommended the local bodies to seek the cooperation of volunteers and NGOs. Based on this, the civic body had decided to rope in volunteers to conduct birth control measures and promote adoption of stray dogs,” he said.

Prakash also requested the volunteers and the NGOs to register by sending their details to vetsec59@gmail.com before January 15.

Meanwhile, the Corporation has carried out immunisation of stray dogs against rabies and deworming drive in 13 of the total 15 zones. “More than 62,000 stray dogs have been covered in the immunisation drive. Apart from this, 3,221 pet dogs have also been immunised,” a press statement stated.

J Kamaal Hussain, the veterinary officer of Chennai Corporation, said that immunisation drive is pending in Kodambakkam and Tiruvottiyur zones. As per a dog census conducted by the civic body, there are more than 57,000 stray dogs in the city and the drive is aimed at treating all dogs. Officials have also been vaccinating dogs born after the census.

“We will complete theimmunisation drive in both the zones soon. Earlier, we had carried out the drive in 2016. From next year, we will conduct immunisation every year to keep rabies at bay,” he said.