SMC to restart dog sterilization programme

SURAT: Youngsters trying to escape from a pack of dogs in the early morning hours and falling from their two-wheelers in the process is a common sight on the city streets here. The menace of over 50,000 stray dogs is too much to handle now. New Civil Hospital (NCH) and SMIMER Hospital figures show that everyday 100 people suffer from dog bites in the city.
This has forced Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) to restart its sterilization programme for the dogs, with three contractors evincing interest in the project. The successful bidder would be known on Monday.
"We paid Rs 625 per animal for sterilization in the past and expect the successful bidder to quote around the same rate," incharge zoo superintendent Dr Praful Mehta said.
Government rules say a dog or a cat can't be treated cruelly. A canine will have to dropped at the same spot after it is sterilized.
"We can't violate government rules or Supreme Court guidelines. An animal loses lots of its aggressiveness after it undergoes sterilization. The animal can't be removed from the area where it has been living," Dr Mehta added.
"Many people have dog phobia and we don't have any medicine for it. Dogs can't be removed from the urban area overnight. Dog is a domestic animal and has been living with man since ages," said Darshan Desai of Prayas, an NGO that works for the welfare of animals and birds in the city.
"We expect some check on dog menace once our contractor starts the sterilization programme next month," Dr Mehta said.