The Palike started ABC in new areas following pilot project conducted by Ahmedabad-based Animal Help Foundation (AHF).

The palike has allotted four NGOs including AHF to conduct the programme in new zones. AHF is conducting the programme in Mahadevapura and Bommanahalli zones. In Dasarahalli, Byatarayanapura and Rajarajeshwari Nagar Karuna, CUPA and ARF are conducting the programme respectively.

The Palike reserved Rs 4 crore for conducting ABC in new zones in the 2007-08 budget. NGOs are being paid at a rate of Rs 390 per male and Rs 400 per female dog. As per the records available till November end the NGOs have operated on 5,566 dogs.

After eight-year-old Sridevi and five-year-old Manjunath were mauled by street dogs in the city the Palike invited AHF to conduct ABC in five new zones at the rate of 1000 dogs in each zone. The organisation led by Rahul Sehgal, founder member of AHF, operated on 5,020 dogs in the five zones between April and September.

Against the conventional birth control operation, the foundation followed CNVR (Catch Neuter Vaccinate Release) method. Animal Husbandry joint director Dr Piran said in the conventional method incision is large and dogs are kept in the hospital for a week after the operation. However, CNVR method is a key-hole surgery and dogs are released on the day of operation itself. “We wanted to check whether this is going to be a success in the pilot project. The project proved fruitful and now we are insisting on the same in the new zones. Gradually the same method will be adopted in the Palike Veterinary Hospital too,” he said.

ABC and dog bite cases
Joint Director of Animal Husbandry (BBMP) Dr Piran said ABC programmes help in minimising dog bite cases. “Stray dogs get agitated during breeding periods due to influence of hormones. They attack human beings on slightest provocation during that period. If they undergo ABC they can’t breed and naturally dog bite cases come down,” he said.

Dr Piran pointed out that apart from ABC programme public awareness plays a major role in minimising dog bite cases. “Dogs don’t attack human beings unless they are provoked. The public should avoid throwing food items on roadside,” he said.

NO KILLING
BBMP cannot go on euthanising dogs to tackle dog menace in Bangalore City. The Palike can euthanise dogs only on three conditions. Dr Piran, joint director of Animal Husbandry, said a dog can be killed only if it is  rabid or mortally wounded or critically sick. “There is a demand among a section of society that the Palike should eliminate dogs to tackle the dog menace. Only way to tackle dog menace is conducting ABC,” he said.

Source: Deccan Herald