Funds Misuse Rampant in the Name of Dog Sterilizations

Kurnool: With summer vacations under way and children actively playing in the streets, there also are the danger signals – dogs are on the prowl.

The civic authorities in Kurnool, Nandyal and Adoni are taking steps to curb the growing menace of stray dogs. An increase in the number of dog bite cases — nearly 8,800 cases in the last three years — is a matter of public concern, prompting officials to intensify sterilization and vaccination measures.

One each dedicated sterilization centres are being established in Kurnool, Nandyal and Atmakur municipalities to carry out the surgeries. This would help curb the stray dog population.

The dogs undergoing surgery will be kept under observation for three days, vaccinated, marked by cutting their ears, and then released. Each surgery is expected to cost around Rs 1,400, stated a senior municipal official in Nandyal.

The threat posed by stray dogs becomes severe during summer, when children spend more time playing outdoors. There have been cases of children being chased or bitten. A child died of rabies recently. This spread scare among parents.

Following these, the state government asked urban local bodies to intensify the sterilization and vaccination efforts. There, however, is a lack of transparency in its fund utilization.

In previous years, huge amounts had been spent in various towns — Rs 50 lakh in Kurnool, Rs 10–15 lakh in Adoni and Rs 55,000 in Dhone. In Atmakur, Rs 2–4 lakh is allocated annually for this purpose. Yet, results are nil. No such operation was conducted in Yemmiganur and Gudur municipalities in the past five years.

Under the current plan, dog birth control centres will serve multiple areas: the Adoni centre will cover Yemmiganur; the Kurnool centre will serve Nandikotkur, Gudur and Dhone; while the Nandyal centre will support Atmakur, Allagadda and Bethamcherla Nagar Panchayats.

Officials says these efforts would significantly reduce stray dog threats and ensure safer public spaces for children and citizens alike.

Stray dogs pose threat to kids during vacation

·State government plans dog birth control centres at Kurnool, Nandyal and Adoni

·Around 8,800 dog bite cases were reported in Kurnool and Nandyal districts over the past three years