BENGALURU: The number of deaths of stray dogs have increased in the city after sterilisation by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) with citizens and animal lovers claiming that this is deliberate negligence of the officials.
Activists claimed that the BBMP authorities should immunise the stray dogs before conducting the surgery, but are letting them off on the street after the surgery without proper care. The dogs are contracting viral infections at the ABC centres as they are not following cleanliness and safety measures, they added. Social activists and animal lovers have now demanded that the BBMP make a separate provision in the Budget for the care of strays.
Arun Prasad, a social activist said, “Canine core vaccine should be given to dogs and cats. There is no treatment available for Canine distemper and parvovirus. The BBMP lets off stray dogs on to the streets after the sterilisation. They get infected by viruses immediately and die. About 80 dogs have died, due to multiple virus infection after sterilisation. Who will responsible for that?. They also need care just like human and has life. The Karnataka government has issued an order that that local authorities should take the responsibility of stray dogs. Sterilisation and immunisation is the responsibility of the local authorities as mentioned in the gazette notification. The state government should announce some provisions for pet animals and strays in the budget this year. We brought this issue into the notice of BBMP chief commissioner and special commissioner for animal husbandry and they told to submit a proposal. If dogs die after sterilisation, what is the use of the procedure? This should be take care of by the BBMP”.
Another animal activist, Nivitha Kamat said, “I have filed a complaint with the Cottonpet police station against Dr M G Halli Shivaram, assistant director, animal husbandry department, South zone. Canines get many viral diseases such as hepatitis, leptospirosis, Canine distemper. The BBMP should vaccinate and immunise the dogs first and then they can take it for sterilisation. If they conduct surgery without vaccination, the immunity level drops. Due to the negligence of BBMP, several stray dogs are dying without proper shelter, food and caring. Animal lovers are requesting the BBMP to vaccinate the dogs and only then sterilise them”.
Nevitha’s complaint to the SHO of Cottonpet police station mentioned that currently, South zone is reeling under an outbreak of the deadly Canine distemper disease, which is infecting dogs during surgery at the ABC centre at a city veterinary hospital premises in Chamarajapet and causing them to die within a few weeks of release”. She said that there is a complete lack of awareness given to general public.