Civic body gets more teeth to tackle dog bites

Naresh Kamath
Mumbai

CIVIC AUTHORITIES have given themselves more teeth to tackle increasing
cases of dog bites in the city. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
announced various measures on Monday to increase the sterilisation rate of
stray dogs.

The measures include improving the infrastructure at sterilisation centres,
hiring additional vehicles to catch strays, employing more dogcatchers and
clearing the dues of various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved
in the work.

Extra tents and rooms will be added to the existing sterilisation centres.
The BMC will hire two extra vans to catch the strays bringing the total
fleet to six, and also recruit additional dogcatchers on contract basis.
"Our intention is to successfully carry out the sterilisation programme and
we are beefing up the whole process," said Additional Municipal Commissioner
Kishore Gajbhiye.

In a meeting convened by Standing Committee Chairman Ravindra Vaikar, both
he and Gajbhiye along with the NGOs were critical of civic officials for
mismanaging the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme. "The dog control
officials hardly arrive on the spot when needed. I have often complained of
stray dogs but no one paid attention," said Vaikar. NGOs, too, complained of
inadequate staff . "The new measures will boost our ABC programme," said
Abodh Aras, Chief Executive Officer, Welfare of Stray Dogs.

The BMC estimates there are over five lakh stray dogs in the city. Over
40,000 dog bites are reported every year. "I want accountability from NGOs
and I have asked for monthly reports of the programme," said Vaikar.
naresh.kamath@hindustantimes.com Catching the strays Civic body will add
tents and rooms to existing sterilisation centres. It will hire two more
vans to catch strays. The civic body also plans to employ more dogcatchers.
It will work closely with NGOs and hold them accountable for their work.


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