Not enough vets to sterilise dogs in Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: Shortage of surgeons at the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) would affect the frequency of Animal Birth Control project camps as planned by the Kozhikode municipal corporation. Though the corporation has funds to conduct the camps, the KVASU team is struggling to find time as they have to conduct classes for the students as well as to attend local cases.

However it is learnt that KVASU has sanctioned surgeons for one more camp this week. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, KVASU director of Entrepreneurship Dr T.P Sethumadhavan said that one more team would soon attend a camp.  “We have received payment from the corporation for the next camp and we have sanctioned it,” he said.

“We have a mobile surgical unit to conduct sterilisation and it required surgeons from the department along with Animal Husbandry department doctors. The surgeons have to take classes for 140 students in two batches. In addition, they have to work in the hospital as well as on referral cases from other places. We have to find time for the camp in a balanced way without affecting these works,” he added.

A total of over 73 dogs were sterilized during the launch camp of the ABC project at Kozhikode Railway Station Housing Colony premises last week.  The camp was conducted after multiple postponements due to shortage of hands. For each camp, the corporation is spending '50,000 as fee for the KVASU.

“We are yet to decide the place for the next camp. Once we get the intimation of the date from KVASU, we will decide the place based on the public demand,” said corporation development standing committee chairman P.C. Rajan. The corporation has also called a tender for establishing a super speciality animal hospital in the city.

Dog menace: City corp not keen to help CU

The Kozhikode Municipal Corporation is yet to receive an official request from the Calicut University seeking help to tackle the stray dog menace. The syndicate meeting held on June 13 decided to ask for the corporation’s aid along with other government agencies in controlling the menace following a number of complaints from students. Syndicate member Adv P.M Niyas is also a member in the Corporation council from Chalappuram ward.

However, the corporation itself is in a dilemma over handling the menace and has started the sterilisation project only last week. “We are already facing the issue of stray dogs in the city and how can one expect to help them at this stage,” asked the Standing Committee chairman.

Speaking to DC, vice-chancellor Dr K. Mohammed Basheer said that the university would soon send a letter to the corporation along with other agencies for help. The stray dog menace is a problem for the university authorities for a long time. In the latest incident, a third year health science student was injured in an attack by stray dogs at the University Ladies hostel compound last month.