KOCHI: The city corporation will set up one more animal birth control (ABC) unit to control the stray dog menace if the state government allocates funds, mayor Soumini Jain has said. Replying to a debate on the issue that dominated the council meeting on Thursday, she said, as the civic body has constraints in killing strays, the only effective way is sterilisation. “There is no law or government order in existence that permits the culling. Only severely wounded or rabid can be killed. Otherwise, the government should issue an order,” she said.
The civic body had set up a modern ABC and anti-rabies unit at Brahmapuram last year at the cost of '1.5 crore, and it has sterilised 2,000 strays so far. But most of the councillors want immediate steps to kill strays as the ABC programme can’t address the problem instantly. “Though ABC is a good concept, it brings very slow results. Culling is the only effective way. Steps should be taken within a month to kill all strays in the city,” said K.R. Prem Kumar.
“Norms on rearing pet dogs should be implemented strictly. Pet dogs should not be allowed in families having less than five cents of land.” Meanwhile, Opposition leader K.J. Antony alleged that the civic body which initiated a microchipping for dogs had stopped it abruptly. “The Rs 20 lakh scheme ended soon after its launch. Only 50 dogs got microchipping,” he said. However, the mayor replied that the programme could not be continued as there was no government order to support it.
