Mangalore, August 16:A city-based organization, Animal Care Trust (ACT); recognized by the Animal Welfare Board of India, had been forcing Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) to introduce licensing of pet dogs, mandatory sterilization of pet dogs, a dog complaint helpline, dog population watch committee to monitor stray dog population. MCC has not taken initiatives inspite of several requests. Trust authorities revealed that if such initiatives were introduced by the city corporation, the stray dog population could have been controlled if such initiatives were introduced by the city corporation.
Recently, a two-year-old boy was mauled by dogs at Mohiuddeen Nagar in Kudroli.
The contract to sterilize street dogs had been given to ACT, states that the animal birth control ABC is not a failure as assumed by corporators. ACT trustee Suma R Nayak said, “We are a very transparent body and don’t indulge in making money through our programs. All our trustees are honorary and hold high professional posts and render selfless service to the Trust. The money spent on the ABC program can be viewed from the records of the MCC and also the number of dogs operated can be seen in the records”.
She added, MCC has assigned a veterinarian of Government Veterinary Hospital to check on surgeries every day. Also she insisted on a mandatory licensing and sterilization of pet dogs in the city.
