Latest news with #Anti-RabiesVaccination
Hans India
7 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Chennai corporation to launch vaccination, sterilisation drive for stray dogs after five year gap
After a five-year hiatus, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is gearing up to launch a large-scale campaign to vaccinate and sterilise over 1.80 lakh stray dogs across all 200 city divisions. The renewed initiative comes in the wake of mounting public complaints and rising incidents of stray dog attacks in the city. The last such campaign was carried out in 2020. Since then, the GCC has faced increasing criticism for failing to address the growing stray dog population and the associated public safety concerns. 'The planning is almost complete, and payments have already been made for procuring vaccines and essential drugs needed for the Animal Birth Control (ABC) and Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV) programmes,' said J. Kamal Hussain, Veterinary Officer of the GCC. 'We will outsource the manpower required to capture and vaccinate the dogs. The campaign will begin within a month.' According to official data, Chennai recorded 31,000 dog bite cases in 2023, and this year, around 2,500 new cases are being reported each month. 'Vaccination and sterilisation remain our only effective tools to prevent such incidents. Dogs suffering from other diseases or parasite infections will also be treated,' Hussain added. The issue was also raised in a recent council meeting, where opposition AIADMK councillors criticised the administration's handling of the situation. 'The State machinery is behaving like a sleeping giant. Chennai is falling behind other Indian cities in controlling its stray dog population,' said J. John, AIADMK councillor from Ward 84. 'In areas like East Avenue Road, Korattur Station Road, and Bajanai Koil Street, stray dogs are seen in large numbers. Of every ten dogs, the civic body manages to catch only two,' the councillor said. Residents from areas such as Tirumalai Nagar in Kolathur echoed similar concerns. 'Women and children are afraid to even walk on the streets,' said D. Neelakannan, president of the Tamil Nadu Alliance of Residents Welfare Associations. 'ABC and ARV initiatives should be conducted frequently and without delay.' A resident of Janakiram Colony in Arumbakkam highlighted the risks faced by two-wheeler riders. 'At night, dogs chase the headlights of vehicles, startling unsuspecting riders. Many now avoid interior roads as a precaution.' However, animal rights activists urged a more nuanced understanding of the issue. 'No dog attacks without provocation,' said one activist. 'The solution lies in regular and sustained vaccination and sterilisation drives. The real question is whether these are being implemented consistently,' the activist said. Experts also stressed the need for scientific studies on canine behaviour. 'Dogs are social but territorial animals. The government must allocate funding for behavioural studies and strengthen ongoing ABC and ARV programmes,' the activist added. With plans now in motion, Chennai residents are hopeful that the upcoming campaign will offer a sustainable solution to the city's stray dog menace.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Bites up, but dog count dips in corpn survey
Madurai: Amid growing complaints of stray dog menace, and dog bite casing hitting a seven-year high in the city, the latest scientific census by Madurai corporation has pegged stray dog population at 38,348, significantly lower than previous estimates. An RTI reply had in 2021 placed the number at 53,826 in 2020, while a 2012 survey had recorded 47,573 dogs. Dog bite cases within corporation limits reached 14,130 by Nov 2024, the highest since 2018, pointing to the urgent need for effective stray management. Corporation officials, however, insist that the March 2025 enumeration is the most accurate to date, as it was conducted using scientific methods in collaboration with Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) and animal welfare NGO Seeshah's Kennel Foundation. The new figure for Madurai is also lower than that of Trichy corporation, which recently published a 2025 survey placing its stray dog population at 43,767. City health officer (CHO) P Indhira told TOI that Madurai's survey was carried out in all 100 wards covering five city zones. The initial groundwork and mapping were done between March 5 and 14, after which 200 student volunteers and corporation staff were trained for field enumeration. From March 17 to 23, around 300 surveys were conducted, with data collected from an average of 31% of roads in each ward. The methodology included sampling, grid mapping, training of enumerators, and multi-stage data collection. "We have done a proper survey and this is the most scientific survey. The dog count may have decreased after Covid pandemic due to decrease in number of feeders," said the demographic breakdown revealed that 15% of the dogs were puppies (under three months), and 85% adults. Among the adults, 83% were aged over one year, and 17% were juveniles between 4 and 11 months. Male dogs accounted for 65% of the population and females, 35%, with 36% of the female dogs observed to be lactating. About 83% of the stray dogs were found to be healthy, while the remaining 17% suffered from injuries, skin infections, or other visible corporation has now announced plans to intensify sterilization and population control efforts at hotspots. Officials say the data will guide the future rollout of Animal Birth Control (ABC) and Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV) programmes across the city.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
After stray dog attack, BBMP ramps up rabies control
dogs rabies vaccination programme Stray dog's murder sparks vaccination drive demand Dog rescuer and feeder Razia Khan filed a complaint about the killing based on which Jigani Police registered a first information report (FIR) against Sindhu, Raju, and others under the Section 11 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and under the Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The Animal Husbandry Department and Veterinary Sciences, in association with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Animal Husbandry Department, has launched vaccination for rabies at Nirman Layout and Hullahalli near Jigani in Anekal Taluk to prevent rabies spreading to streetand veterinary doctors have launched aon Thursday at two locations, Nirman Layout and Ullahalli. According to reliable sources, one dog affected with rabies attacked six dogs and a few cows around Nirmal Layout and Ullahalli. The dog was allegedly killed by some residents and a FIR was registered at Jigani Police Station. Post-mortem report revealed that the dog was infected with rabies. Bangalore Mirror published a story – Stray dog's murder sparks vaccination drive demand – on May 6, narrating how citizens have raised an alarm over the killing of a stray dog at Nirman Layout near Jigani. 'We have vaccinated more than 100 stray dogs and cattle at two locations,'' said a veterinary is said the veterinary doctors are set to complete vaccination for stray and pet dogs and cattle against rabies within one km radius of Nirman Layout and Hullahalli. It is called Ring Vaccination. The next step of vaccination for stray dogs and cattle will be extended to a three to five kms radius from Nirman Layout and Deputy Director (Animal Husbandry) Chandraiah said the BBMP Animal Husbandry Department has deputed two teams of dog catchers to Nirman Layout and Hullahalli. 'We have provided around 12 dog catchers to the rabies vaccination programme. They will assist the veterinary doctors during the vaccination programme,'' he animal activists and pet lovers want the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences Department to give a 5-in-1 vaccine for stray dogs instead of rabies vaccine. 'The 5-in-1 vaccine guards stray dogs against five severe diseases such as canine distemper, adenovirus type1 and type 2, parainfluenza, and parvovirus,'' said Razia Khan, a dog feeder and the similar opinion, Arun Prasad, an animal activist, has said the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences Department has to take measures to vaccinate all dogs and cattle in the area to prevent rabies spreading to animal species at Bannerghatta National Park and nearby forest. 'The authorities have to give a 5-in-1 vaccine for the welfare of stray dogs and cattle,'' he why the Animal Birth Control (ABC) and Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV) programmes are not extended beyond the BBMP limits, Sujaya Jagadeesh, SPCA member, has said the authorities should prefer a 5-in-1 vaccine instead of rabies vaccine. 'Dogs affected with rabies will be dangerous for humans, dogs and animals. The authorities concerned have to take up ABC and ARV programmes on the outskirts of Bengaluru and rural areas,'' she said.
