Seven vets to be hired for stray animals

Mumbai: In good news for animal lovers, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to hire seven veterinary doctors to provide treatment and sterilisation of pet and stray animals in the city. The civic body will set up pet clinics, which will provide treatment and sterilisation of animals at cheap rates.

“Seven veterinary doctors will be hired on a contractual basis by the BMC. Of them, two posts will be reserved for women. They will be paid a remuneration of Rs 35,000 each,” said a senior civic official.

According to the Veterinary Council of India 1984 act, all animal-related activities should be handled by the veterinary doctors. Accordingly, the BMC has decided to form a separate public veterinary department on the lines of its public health department. Veterinary activities related to cattle pond, dog control, treatment etc will now be brought under a single body – the veterinary department.

Under the ambit of this department, the BMC has planned to set up pet clinics as well as cemeteries for animals. The civic body has also decided to hand over the dog sterilisation programme to Deonar abattoir, whose experts will monitor the scheme.

There is Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital in Parel, which bears the burden of treating animals in the city. Though there are few private pet clinics, however, they are not affordable to common people.