The State government and the local bodies should look into how efficiently the ABC programme is being implemented, Minister for Animal Husbandry K. Raju has said.
The ABC programme should be continued in a sustained manner by local self-government organisations for it to yield results, he said. He was speaking after inaugurating an event organised by the Hands for Paws, a collective of animal-friendly organisations, non-governmental organisations, veterinarians, and people from many other walks of life here on Sunday.
Fatal attacks by street dogs had caused people to vociferously protest against the authorities. There was also the problem posed by diseases such as rabies. Organisations that worked for protection of street dogs could not ignore these problems, he said.
The Minister called for looking into the reasons for street dog attacks, which occurred mostly to safeguard their food source. Hands for Paws should look into issues such as controlling their population. Dogs could also be protected by adopting them. However, there was no mechanism in place to identify such people and hand over the dogs to them. Organisations such as Hands for Paws could fill this gap.
They should organise awareness activities by tying up with local bodies and the government, the Minister said.
Mayor V.K. Prasanth who presided over the function, said the Corporation was making efforts to implement the ABC programme effectively. But ABC alone was not enough. There was also need for a mechanism to house these dogs and look after them. If Hands for Paws found space, the Corporation would make the arrangements, he said.
The civic body was even ready to extend help, including financial, under the ABC and hand over areas under it to the organisation for undertaking its activities. Soumini Raja of the Hands for Paws said the organisation aimed at connecting the government, non-governmental organisations, veterinarians, and the public.
Shefeen Ahamed, DIG, called on the organisation to work for rehabilitation of street dogs.
An adoption drive and veterinary check-up of dogs were held on the occasion.