KOZHIKODE: The district panchayat has announced a new project to end the stray dog menace in the district through sterilization and vaccination.
The project named Karuna (Kozhikode Animal Rehabilitation Project using Nonviolent Alternatives) will be completed in two years. Karuna will bring all pet dogs under a licensing system and the number of stray dogs will be restricted through the scientific disposal of garbage.
The 1.6-crore project, finalised at a meeting held at the collectorate here on Thursday, will be implemented by the animal husbandry department (AHD) with each of the gram panchayat allotting Rs 2 lakh.
Municipalities and the city corporation will contribute the remaining. District panchayat president Kanathil Jameela said a detailed census of the strays would be taken to start the project.
This will be followed by awareness programme over the need to restrict the dogs through waste disposal among students and housewives.
The captured canines would be sterilized and vaccinated in mobile operation theatres which comprises three teams; each includes a doctor, two dog catchers and assistants. Besides, the service of local veterinary hospitals will be made use of.
Mrs Jameela said sterilization of dogs had proved to lessen their aggressiveness according to studies. AHD deputy director Dr Kanaran, gram panchayat association district secretary Biju Thanikuzhy, city corporation health standing committee chairperson Janamma Kunjunni, AHD district officer Dr John Kattakkayam, district planning officer Dr K.M. Suresh also spoke on the occassion.
