GUNTUR: In the wake of the attacks by stray dogs on kids, which is sometimes proving fatal, the GMC has decided to check sale of mutton and chicken. The authorities have taken a decision not to allow the sale of chicken and mutton without proper checking of the animals by veterinary doctors. Recently, a four-year-old boy, D. Prem Kumar, was killed in attack by stray dogs. The residents complained that stray dogs were roaming in all areas in the city and sought that they be shifted to outskirts. Further, they also wanted all the stray dogs to be sterilised to prevent growth in their number. The GMC officials said that 2,647 stray dogs were sterilised in Guntur city.
Mutton and chicken shops are operating in every colony and chicken and mutton waste is dumped on the roads, which serve as food to the dogs. P. Madhu and Sk Jani, residents of Rajiv Gruha Kalpa colony in Adavitakkellapadu, where Prem Kumar was killed by dogs, said the canines were addicted chicken and mutton waste. "If they fail to get that, they attack kids," they said.
They faulted the officials for freely allowing unlicenced chicken and mutton shops to operate, which can provide food to the dogs. They said hens and goats should be checked and certified by doctors before being slaughtered in the abattoir. "But many butchers slaughter unhealthy animals in their shops and sell the meat which on consumption leads to several health problems."
GMC commissioner Ch. Anuradha said Dr D. Bhagyaraju has been appointed to certify the health of the animals at Bongarala-beedu abattoir. The shops would be checked daily by GMC officials. She said GMC officials conduct checks on the chicken and mutton shops every Sunday. "Now, we are planning to continue the checks on normal days too," she said and promised of stern action against the violators. She said no one would be allowed to sell chicken and mutton without certification by the GMC abattoir and these shops would not be allowed to throw their waste on the roads.
