SDMC plans to double dog sterilisation centres

With an objective to make all areas under its jurisdiction free from rabies, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation has decided to double the number of its dog sterilisation centres by the end of current financial year.

In 2015, the SDMC claimed, fewer cases of rabies had been reported due to a sharp decrease in the number of dog bites compared to earlier years. From a staggering 4,700 dog bite cases reported in the SDMC areas in 2014, the number of such cases drastically fell to about 1,800 in 2015.

According to the SDMC figures, 3,512 cases of dog bites were reported in 2013 and this increased in 2014 to 4,751 cases. “The number of dog bites had fallen drastically last year when a total 1,816 cases were reported. With fewer cases of dog bites, less cases of rabies were reported last year,” said SDMC Leader of House Subhash Arya, adding that no deaths due to rabies have been reported in the last three years.

To control stray dog menace, the SDMC plans to increase dog sterilisation centres from existing nine to 20 by the end of year. “Nine dog sterilisation centres are functional and work is in progress at four centres that will be functional in the next few months. Seven more will be opened by the end of year,” added Mr Arya.

In the Year 2015-16, the SDMC sterilised 27,461 stray dogs, an increase over last two years. In 2014-15 and 2013-14, some 19,398 and 14,349 stray dogs were sterilised respectively. In current year, the SDMC aims to sterilise over 50,000 stray dogs. “In 2016-17, we are targeting to sterilise about 51,000 stray dogs. Apart from sterilisation, we are also planning to vaccinate these dogs to control rabies. We are working to ensure that there are zero rabies cases in the SDMC areas,” he said.

Even purchase of anti-rabies vaccines has reduced in the SDMC. In 2013-14, the SDMC had purchased 8,000 vials of anti-rabies vaccines and 5,000 vials were purchased in 2014-15.

The SDMC has engaged an agency, Humane Society international, to conduct a dog census in its jurisdiction to get an estimate of stray dog population.

“The agency will start the survey work on the stray dogs in the SDMC area in the last week of May or first week of June. The census will provide exact population stray dogs in the SDMC areas and also help in formulating policy to control their menace,” said a senior SDMC officer.