Bengaluru, Nov 20:-
To enhance animal husbandry and animal welfare initiatives within the limits of the Bengaluru East City Corporation, Commissioner D.S. Ramesh chaired a review meeting of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) and Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV) Monitoring Committee.
Key Points Discussed in the Meeting
1. Effective Implementation of ABC and ARV Programmes
To improve the efficiency of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, the Commissioner instructed officials to fix a target of 50 ABC surgeries per zone per day, amounting to 100 surgeries daily through two agencies. Agencies were directed to strictly adhere to these targets.
As the current ABC and ARV tenders will expire in January, officials were instructed to finalise separate tenders for both services by the end of this month.
2. Mass Dog Vaccination (MDV)
Officials were instructed to prepare MDV packages based on the newly reorganised and finalised 50 wards, and to invite tenders for the remaining two packages.
3. Procurement of Combined Vaccines
The Commissioner directed officials to procure combined vaccines (combo shots) that protect dogs against multiple diseases such as Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza through a single injection.
4. Animal Welfare and Infrastructure Development
In line with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, officials were instructed to identify suitable land for new dog shelters to facilitate the rehabilitation and care of street dogs. If suitable land cannot be identified, the Commissioner advised engaging qualified agencies capable of providing comprehensive services related to animal welfare and infrastructure.
5. Monitoring of Dogs in Public Spaces
As per Supreme Court guidelines, all government offices, schools, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations, and playgrounds within the East City Corporation limits must be monitored for stray dog presence. Officials were instructed to coordinate with all concerned institutions to obtain relevant information and take appropriate action.
6. Fencing of ABC Facility
The land identified near Horamavu for setting up a new ABC centre has already been surveyed. Officials were directed to immediately begin installing fencing to secure the land.
7. Feeding Points for Dogs
Following Supreme Court guidelines, officials were instructed to identify at least 100 designated feeding points for community dogs across the city. Signboards are to be installed at these locations, and a public notification must be issued.
8. Procurement of Microchips
To facilitate microchipping of dogs as per estimated population within the East City Corporation, officials were directed to initiate the procurement of microchips.
9. Strengthening IEC Activities
A comprehensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign is to be undertaken to raise public awareness on animal welfare and related infrastructure, particularly in apartments and RWAs. As part of IEC efforts, display boards will also be prepared. The Commissioner further instructed officials to coordinate with SPCA representative Sadhana Hegde to widely promote departmental programmes.
The meeting was attended by Additional Commissioner (Development) Lokhande Snehal Sudhakar, Health Officer Dr. Vishweshwarayya, Chief Veterinary Officer (Administration) Dr. Manjunath, Chief Veterinary Officer of KR Puram Veterinary Hospital Dr. Ajaruddin, Assistant Directors Dr. Rudresh and Dr. Vivek, Veterinary Inspectors Ashwath Narayan and Soumya, SPCA representative Sadhana Hegde, and Spandana NGO representative Aruna Reddy.