In a robust step towards birth control and sterilisation of stray animals in the capital city, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) inaugurated a stray dog sterilisation centre in the Smart City.
The Centre has come up at ward number 10 of the civic body. It was inaugurated by BMC Mayor Sulochana Das.
As per reports, the birth control centre has a capacity of 240 dogs. It has 48 kennels, two operation theatres and five operating tables. The centre can sterilise up to 100 dogs a day.
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Two dog carrying vehicles have also been deployed for ferrying the stray dogs.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das said, “We all have seen how stray dogs have put people in trouble. There have been many accidents due to stray dogs as well. Dogbites result in rabies too. Sterilisation is the only way to keep Bhubaneswar free from the menace of stray dogs.”
“BMC has always put importance on sterilisation drives. We have finally found a place where this hospital has been made. This hospital has all the modern equipment including Operation Theatres for animal sterilisation,” Das added.
A third party vendor has been entrusted to manage the centre which will employ veterinary doctors, medical assistants and other staff to run the centre.
The agency will charge Rs1650 for sterilisation of each stray dog.
It is pertinent to mention here that the stay order on sterilisation of stray dogs in Odisha was lifted by the Orissa High Court on January 8 paving the way for the resumption of the sterilisation process in the State.
As per a report, with the commencement of the breeding season of dogs, the incidents of canine bites have increased by at least 50 per cent in Bhubaneswar.