The Kochi Corporation will soon launch an intensive programme for vaccinating and controlling the population of street dogs.
Besides streamlining the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme by recruiting more dog handlers and veterinarians, the civic body plans to ensure licensing system for pet dogs. Facilities for vaccination, registration, and licensing of pet dogs will be offered through the 21 circle offices of the civic body. Vaccination will also be done through the veterinary hospitals of the Corporation.
The civic body will soon set up dog boarding facilities where the captured street dogs could be housed, said a communication issued by Mayor M. Anilkumar.
The basic infrastructure facilities for the ABC programme will be streamlined. Steps to curb the practice of leaving food waste in public places will be taken. Violators will be fined. The Corporation will seek the support of NGOs and volunteers for implementing the programme, said the communication.
The decisions were taken at a meeting convened by the Mayor.
T. K. Asharaf, chairman of the Health Standing Committee, was present.
Council meeting
Cutting across party lines, the councillors highlighted the issue flooding in the city. Mr. Anilkumar said that the Corporation will take all possible measures to address the problem.
The Mayor said a large number of city canals and drainage systems were rebuilt as part of Kochi metro, Smart City, and Operation Breakthrough projects. The civic body has also taken steps to rejuvenate drains.
However, the recent heavy rain had inundated the city. Flooding was reported in some areas where it had not been reported earlier, he said.
The civic body will seek the support of Cochin University of Science and Technology for preparing a drainage master plan. The impact of climate change on the city also needs to be taken into account, he said.
