Amid growing concerns over the stray dog menace, the District Development Committee (DDC) has directed the authorities to make two Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres at Kanichukulangara and Alappuzha operational in a week.
P.P. Chitharanjan, MLA, who raised the issue at the DDC meeting on Saturday, rapped the officials for their lackadaisical attitude in curbing the menace. U. Prathibha, MLA, also brought the issue to the notice of the authorities.
Urgent measures
Considering the seriousness of the matter, District Collector John V. Samuel directed the officials concerned to take urgent measures to make the centres functional.
Earlier this year, an ABC centre set up under the aegis of Alappuzha district panchayat was opened at Kanichukulangara near Cherthala. However, the facility constructed at a cost of ₹22 lakh has not yet been made fully functional.
Another ABC centre set up at Sea View ward in Alappuzha municipality with funding from the district panchayat has not been opened yet. Both the centres are equipped with operation theatres, recovery rooms, and kennels among other facilities for sterilising dogs.
Strict provisions
Officials of the Animal Husbandry department said that strict provisions set by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) had delayed the commencement of sterilisation and other activities at the centres. “Steps have been taken to obtain the final nod for the ABC centres. We are hopeful of making the centres fully operational soon,” said an official.
Officials said that tenders had been floated for setting up various facilities, including 50 cages, as per the specifications issued by the AWBI. The authorities will also have to find AWBI-approved agencies for capturing and shifting strays to the ABC unit for sterilisation.
Besides strays, pet animals could be sterilised at the facilities.
