JAMMU: Commissioner, JMC, Rahul Yadav today reviewed the current status of ongoing Animal Birth Control (ABC)/(Anti Rabies Vaccination (ARV) programme within JMC limits here at a meeting of ABC/ARV Monitoring committee.
For the effective management of street dog population and to curb the spread of rabies both in humans as well as animals, ABC/ARV programme is being carried out by the Jammu Municipal Corporation within JMC limits.
The meeting was attended by all the members of ABC Monitoring committee viz. Dr. Zahid Saleem, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Jammu (Member secretary SPCA, Jammu); Dr. Sushil Kumar Sharma, MVO, JMC; Dr. Divya Sharma, VAS, JMC; Namrata Hakhoo, Founder/ Chairperson, Hakhoo Street Animals Foundation Trust (Regd.); Devinder Kour Madaan, Chairperson, SAVE (NGO) and Muneesh Sharma, Animal Right Activist/ Volunteer.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the various aspects and progress of the ongoing ABC/ARV program being implemented by JMC in collaboration with Friendicoes-SECA (Delhi based Animal Welfare Organization) at Municipal Animal Care Centre, Roop Nagar, Jammu.
Dr. Sushil Kumar Sharma, MVO, JMC appraised the committee that since the outsourcing of ABC/ARV programme to FRIENDICOES-SECA i.e. w.e.f 01.04.2021 to ending Aug. 2023, 17822 stray dogs have been sterilized/immunized with ward wise /complaint basis catching and all sterilized dogs have been relocated in the same area from where they were caught as per the ABC (Dogs) Rules, 2023 promulgated under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
MVO, JMC further appraised that so far a total 36256 no. of stray dogs have been sterilized/ vaccinated within JMC limits in an estimated street dog population of 43540 by taking into account of previous ABC/ ARV done by the JMC.
In the meeting it was decided that for the effective implementation of ABC programme within JMC limits, ward wise/ zone wise coordination committees comprising of representatives of Resident Welfare Associations and Animal activists/ volunteers shall be constituted.
For the regulation of pet dog population within JMC limits, committee decided that JMC shall intensify the awareness campaigns as well as enforcement drives for pet dog registration with mandatory spaying of female pet dog in accordance to Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2023 & Municipal Corporation Act, 2000.
The Commissioner expressed satisfaction about the implementation of the ABC programme within JMC limits and further advised to lay more emphasis on those areas where the unsterilized dog population still exist, and dog litter (pups) are born. He directed MVO, JMC to intensify the IEC activities to educate the general public by involving schools, colleges, universities & Resident Welfare organizations about the effectiveness of ABC/ARV programme in helping to reduce street dog population as well as eradicating rabies.