 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 23: In a comprehensive review meeting chaired by Commissioner Rahul Yadav, the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) scrutinized the ongoing Animal Birth Control/Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ABC/ARV) programme's progress within the JMC jurisdiction. This initiative aims to efficiently manage the street dog population and combat the transmission of rabies among both humans and animals. Attended by key members including Dr. Zaffar Iqbal, LDO Jammu, Dr. Vinod Sharma, Health Officer JMC, and representatives from various animal welfare organizations and NGOs, the meeting delved into the current status and strategies for further enhancement of the programme.
Dr. Divya Sharma, MVO JMC, presented a detailed overview of the programme's achievements since its outsourcing to FRIENDICOES-SECA in April 2021. Impressively, over 20,000 stray dogs have been sterilized and immunized, with a substantial portion of them relocated back to their original areas, adhering to ABC (Dogs) Rules, 2023. Highlighting the scale of the initiative, Dr. Sharma revealed that a staggering 38,546 stray dogs have undergone sterilization and vaccination within JMC limits, a significant step towards controlling the estimated population of 50,000 street dogs.
To bolster the programme's effectiveness, the committee resolved to establish ward-wise and zone-wise coordination committees, comprising representatives from Resident Welfare Associations and animal activists. These committees will address public complaints and ensure localized efforts for better outcomes.
Furthermore, in a bid to regulate pet dog population, JMC will intensify awareness campaigns and enforcement drives for pet dog registration, mandating spaying of female pets as per Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2023, and the Municipal Corporation Act, 2000. Public notices will be disseminated accordingly.
Expressing satisfaction with the programme's progress, Commissioner Rahul Yadav underscored the need for heightened efforts in areas with significant unsterilized dog populations and frequent instances of puppy births. He urged Dr. Sharma to ramp up Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities, engaging educational institutions and Resident Welfare Organizations to amplify awareness about the programme's efficacy in reducing street dog numbers and eradicating rabies.
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