Civic body outsources animal birth control survey

AMC will provide logistic support to HSI,besides vehicular and personnel assistance,but it is unlikely the work will be over by September-end. The rainy season is not appropriate for the count. Besides,the fluctuation in population over a period will require comparative data. For accurate categorisation into male,female,lactating female and pups it requires that the survey is conducted in the same place at the corresponding period the following year.

The team will also not go for a ward-wise count but will divide it into localities in terms of their social and economic profile. Thus emphasis will be more on slums where dogs are generally maintained by residents and sheltered when dog catching squads arrive for stray dogs,said Capt Dilip Mahajan. He said he was hopeful of the survey being completed in its stipulated timeframe,but said it all depends on the survey mode.

He said HSI was to initially give its report to the municipal commissioner but later decided to hand it over to Animal Welfare Board of India Chairman Dr Kherb. AWBI is contributing 50 per cent of the dog sterilisation cost in the city as part of its MoU with AMC.