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Sterilisation of dogs done in systematic manner: CUPA

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore Aug. 1. The Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA), one of the four organisations involved in assisting the BMP in the animal birth control and anti-rabies vaccination programme, claims it is implementing the work in a systematic manner with a degree of success.

In fact, CUPA began its ABC programme from 1994 on its own and has recorded 25,000 sterilisations since then. From October 2000, the ABC programme has been carried out in a coordinated manner as an alternative to the killing of dogs by electrocution.

The City has been divided into three zones, each handled by one animal welfare organisation. For this purpose, one dog catching van has been given to each zone NGO with funding for medication, anti-rabies vaccination, fuel for the dog-catching vans, and other items. A target of sterilisation had been set for each NGO with 600 sterilisations or immunisations a month for CUPA.

Dogs are caught from a specific region marked on a colour-coded map, sterilised, and vaccinated against rabies and then set free in the same area. The entire operation costs about Rs. 350 per dog. Dogs with incurable and painful diseases and those found rabid are euthanised humanely by lethal injection, which cost Rs 50. The CUPA activists, all of whom volunteer their time, point out that dogs are territorial in nature and do not allow other dogs to come into their area. The sterilised dogs cannot multiply; the female does not come into heat, and get trailed by strange males.

There are reasons why the animal rights organisations campaign for ABC. For every dog killed, five puppies are born. Sterilisation prevents this. ABC also prevents fights among males during mating season (twice a year) during which a male with dormant rabies may infect other dogs.

The dogs caught by CUPA are brought to operating centres at Cantonment Veterinary Hospital; Veterinary College, Hebbal, and the dog pound at Koramangala.

The vets spay the females and neuter the males, under general anaesthesia using the minimal invasive "keyhole technique". The dogs are given anti-rabies vaccine. The sterilised dogs carry an identification mark — the earlobes are notched under anaesthesia using an electrical cauteriser.

Suparna Baksi-Ganguli, Secretary of CUPA, says: "It seems logical to deal with the problem of suffering pups and dogs at its source rather than addressing the symptoms — malnutrition, exposure to weather, disease and accidents. ABC is in keeping with Indian cultural traditions of living in harmony with animals and nature."

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