Kochi Corporation’s stray dog programme yet to make a big impact

KOCHI: While the authorities and animal lovers are locking horns over measures to resolve the issue of stray dog menace, the animal birth control programme initiated by the city corporation is yet to make a big impact.

The hi-tech canine hospital set up near the Brahmapuram waste dumping yard can sterilize only six strays per day which is not sufficient.

As the stray dog population in the city is much higher, the civic body has to scale up the programme to resolve the menace, feel city residents.

“Though this is the best facility available in the state for animal birth control, its capacity has to be increased. Though no agency will be able to fully eliminate street dogs, their population can be kept under control through an effective sterilization programme. It is not certain that the existing facility at Brahmapuram would be able to completely resolve the street dog menace,” said a corporation councillor.

Since, the number of street dogs in the city is estimated to be nearly 20,000 with the number increasing rapidly, it will be a tough task to sterilize all dogs within a short period.

The average life span of a dog is between 6 and 8 years. The availability of edible stuff in the streets is a major reason for the increasing population.

Meanwhile, the fight among animal lovers and local body chiefs during a meeting convened by district panchayat president Eldhose Kunnappilly triggered a fresh row on killing of rabid dogs.