The Puducherry Municipality and the Department of Animal Husbandry organised special camps on the World Rabies Day. It is observed on September 28 in commemoration of Louis Pasteur who developed the rabies vaccine.
According to a report from the Puducherry Municipality, over 30-40 cases of dog bites are reported in Puducherry every day.
Against this backdrop, the staff of Puducherry Municipality conducted a special vaccination camp at Beach road.
On the beach
Stray dogs on the beach road were administered anti-rabies vaccine. A similar camp was conducted at the Old Bus Stand.
Several pet owners and dog lovers brought their pet animals and community dogs for vaccination.
Veterinary Medical Officer of Puducherry Municipality, Dr. K. Coumarane said, “We have taken several steps for controlling the community dogs and as part of World Rabies Day, we are administering vaccination to pets too.”
Dr.Coumarane said over 90 dogs were administered vaccine and 54 fresh licences were issued on Monday.
He emphasised that residents who live within the municipal limits should compulsorily obtain licence from the municipality for rearing their pets under the Pondicherry Municipality Act 1973.
Animal birth control
To control stray canine menace, Local Administration Department has invited proposals from prospective NGOs to carry out animal birth control (ABC) and anti rabies vaccination (ARV) and de-worming of stray dogs. The exercise is based on a census conducted in 2014. The department has invited proposals to capture stray dogs and implement ABC as per the guidelines and rules of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) laid down by the Animal Welfare Board of India.
The successful bidder will be required to perform the tasks on behalf of the local bodies in the interest of protecting the health, safety and convenience of citizens and in compliance with the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules 2001.
