Ponda to sterilise 10,000 dogs in 30-day mega drive from Sept-end

Nirgosh Gaude

Ponda

Taking note of the repeated attacks by stray dogs in Ponda, the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) will launch a mega sterilisation drive targeting 10,000 dogs over a 30-plus day period. The drive will begin on September 29 and conclude on October 31.

“It won’t be just a dog sterilisation drive, but through this mega camp, people across Ponda will also be sensitised about handling stray dogs,” chairperson Anand Naik told ‘The Navhind Times.’

PMC, in a recent meeting, passed a resolution to fully fund the drive, estimated to cost around Rs 5 lakh. The campaign will be held in association with the Animal Husbandry Department, Mission Rabies, an Assagao-based NGO, and other organisations.

“We are planning to reach almost all stray dogs and some owned local breed dogs,” Naik said.

Kala Mandir in Ponda, being centrally located, has been chosen as the venue. Organisers will also conduct awareness talks for schoolchildren, sessions in housing societies, and information campaigns on animal laws. Activities will include identifying dog feeders and educating residents on ways to reduce animal-human conflict.

When asked about the demand for a dedicated dog shelter, Naik said there are no such plans. “Through this drive, after sterilisation, dogs will be released back into the same locality from where they are lifted, using location-based monitoring,” he said.

Stray dog menace in Ponda is at its peak, with frequent incidents of attacks.

In April, a two-year-old girl was mauled to death by a pack of dogs in Durgabhat. More recently, several children have been attacked in different parts of town.