BMC to vaccinate, sterilize strays and pets

Bhubaneswar: In the wake of the rising cases of dog bites in Odisha, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) will conduct a dog census of both stray and pet dogs in the city.

The BMC Mayor Sulochana Das informed that the along with the census of both stray and pet dogs, their tagging will also be done. Tagging will be done in the ears by installing chips to track their movements. Similarly, details on the ownsership, health status and records of vaccination and sterilisation will be also be kept. This will be done to prevent dog bites and the fear of rabies.

Reportedly, over 80,000 stray dogs are there in Bhubaneswar. The tagging of these dogs and even the pet dogs will be done. The tagging of the dogs will have details on the owner’s of the pet dogs, the location of the stray dogs and the status of their vaccinated or sterilised.

It is worth mentioning here that, the Supreme Court on Friday modified its earlier order of August 11 regarding the management of stray dogs in Delhi and NCR (National Capital Region). It directed that the animals will be released back into the same area after sterilization and immunization. The court clarified that stray dogs infected with rabies or showing aggressive behaviour will not be released back and will be kept separately.

“Stray dogs will be released back to the same area after sterilization and immunization, except those infected with rabies or exhibiting aggressive behaviour,” the court ordered. The court ordered that no public feeding of dogs will be allowed, and dedicated feeding spaces for stray dogs to be created. It ordered the MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) to create feeding areas in municipal wards.