Free rabies vaccine for stray, registered pet dogs in city

Ludhiana: The municipal corporation authorities have decided to make the city rabies free by providing free vaccines to stray and registered pet dogs. The members of the finance and contracts committee gave a nod to the proposal.
The civic officials said last year, post-mortem of three stray dogs had revealed rabies. The MC would take help from the animal husbandry department to organise special vaccination camps, which would be first started in walled localities. Officials said there were veterinary hospitals in various areas where camps could be organised. All the stray dogs will be covered in the drive and registered pets will also be given free vaccination.
The civic body had started the registration programme last year and at present more than 2,000 pets have been registered. The MC charges Rs 400 per pet.
Mayor Balkar Sandhu said, “We have given consent for free vaccination to keep people safe from rabies, as there is no cure for this disease.”
The F&CC has also given approval to appoint two more veterinary doctors for stray animals. The civic body will also give pet registration fee exemption to physically-challenged owners and to those dog lovers who are taking care of strays.
Development works
The F&CC members also gave a nod to development works of more than Rs 250 crore in the meeting held at the mayor's camp office on Tuesday. When asked how the civic body would arrange funds to complete works of water supply, sewerage, roads, among others, mayor Balkar Sandhu said there was no scarcity of money and tasks would be completed without any problem.
The F&CC also gave approval to sale of various MC properties through e-auction.