Thiruvananthapuram: The Thiruvananthapuram city corporation has directed officials to spay and neuter 20 dogs everyday as against 10 canines which are being operated on daily now, mayor V.K. Prasanth said. The daily salary of dog squad members has been raised from Rs 350 to Rs 600, the mayor said adding the corporation will spend around Rs 6 crore this financial year for ABC programmes. Doctors will be paid an additional Rs 250 for operating on each dog. The corporation has also made licensing of pet dogs compulsory, he said.
The corporation has at present a squad of two veterinarians, two paramedical staff and an attender, which is supported by two dog catchers. The group which operates from veterinary hospital at Pettah has spayed and neutered around 1,041 dogs until now. Corporation assistant health officer Dr Sasi Kumar and supervisor Ajay Kumar have been asked to review the daily functioning of the ABC group.
More veterinarians will be included in the programme on a voluntary basis in association with animal welfare organisations. Further, the corporation will explore for more space to house stray dogs before and after the ABC programmes. Mobile ABC units will be acquired on a permanent basis. Citizens may contact the helpline numbers on issues related to stray dogs on 94964 34452, 94964 34496.
