Thiruvananthapuram: Not a single animal birth control (ABC) surgery has happened for months in Thiruvananthapuram corporation, confirm reliable sources. However, according to various councillors, dogs are getting caught. So what really happens to them? A top official in the health wing told DC, "the dogs caught from streets are given rabies vaccination at the veterinary centre at Thiruvallom. If the dogs are violent, they are kept under observation at the kennels there for 10 days."
The ongoing renovation work at Government Veterinary Hospital, Pettah, is the reason why ABC surgeries cannot happen there, according to officials. DC had reported about a set of kennels here which were not being used because the drainage outlets needed repair. Then health standing committee chairperson K. Sreekumar had told this paper that it was a minor maintenance work and that the facility will be repaired. However, sources say that the work which started in December is yet to be over.
Meanwhile, the work on the R-ABC centre at the veterinary hospital at Thiruvallom has not been established yet. The corporation had written to the sports and youth affairs directorate requesting them to give a few pre-fabricated modules used during the National Games. However, little has happened towards realising the request. Even councillors are unaware that ABC surgeries are not happening. CPM's I.P. Binu, a member of the health standing committee, said that the corporation workers had nabbed dogs in his ward last week.
He was not aware of the correct rate of ABC which would ensure the success of the programme. CPI's M.A. Karishma said that dogs were caught in her ward a few months ago and brought back following a complaint. "Perhaps dogs are getting caught even during other times. But I know only of the one time when we complained," she said. Mayor V.K. Prasanth and health standing committee chairperson K. Sreekumar were not available for comments.
