Dumka to curb stray dog menace, Birth Control Center to be set up
KUMAR PRABHAT
DUMKA
In a bid to curb the rising incidents of dog bites and eradicate rabies, Dumka Deputy Commissioner Abhijit Sinha chaired a high-level review meeting to ensure strict implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, and compliance with Supreme Court guidelines.
Addressing various departments and stakeholders during the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner detailed the necessary steps for animal welfare and effective execution of rabies eradication programs. He issued directions to upgrade the Referral Veterinary Hospital in Dumka into a dedicated Animal Birth Control Center. This specialized facility will serve as the nodal hub for the sterilization and anti-rabies vaccination of stray dogs.
To ensure the groundwork begins immediately, Sinha instructed the Dumka Municipal Council and the Basukinath Nagar Panchayat to identify and safely capture stray dogs within their respective jurisdictions. These animals will be brought to the designated center for medical treatment, deworming, and vaccination before being released back into their original locations. Alongside managing the stray population, the Deputy Commissioner also mandated the mandatory registration of all pet dogs across the district.
The District Animal Husbandry Officer has been tasked with working in close coordination with local urban bodies to execute preventive anti-rabies vaccination drives for stray canines. Furthermore, the department has been asked to launch extensive awareness campaigns regarding rabies control methods.
Highlighting the human healthcare aspect under the National Rabies Control Program, the Civil Surgeon was directed to maintain an uninterrupted supply of anti-rabies vaccines and rabies immunoglobulin across all local health centers, while actively educating the public on rabies prevention. The review meeting saw the participation of several key officials, including the Sub-Divisional Officer, the Executive Officer of the Dumka Municipal Council, and the District Animal Husbandry Officer
