SRINAGAR: Approximately 36,000 out of the nearly 43,000 stray dogs within the municipal boundaries of Jammu city have undergone sterilisation and vaccination procedures conducted by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), reported The Tribune.
Dr Divya Sharma, the Municipal Veterinary Officer (MVO), as per The Tribune highlighted that these operations fall under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme implemented by the JMC. Emphasising compliance with the ABC (Dog) Rules of 2023, she clarified that stray dogs are not relocated but are solely captured for sterilisation and vaccination. Following the procedures, they are released back into the same area, distinguished by a permanent ‘right ear-notch’ identification mark.
Dr Sharma addressed an awareness and interaction event organised by the Veterinary section of JMC in collaboration with Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Rehari, on Tuesday. The event aimed to educate school students about the significance of the JMC’s ABC programme across its 75 wards and its broader impact on society.
During the event, Dr Sharma delivered a presentation covering various animal welfare activities and outlined the objectives and achievements of the ABC programme. She demonstrated the effectiveness of implementing the ABC programme to control the stray dog population promptly, thereby curbing the spread of rabies in both humans and animals.
Kulbhushan Khajuria, Joint Commissioner of Jammu Municipal Corporation, commended the Veterinary services wing of JMC for organising extensive awareness programs in educational institutions within Jammu city. He encouraged the Veterinary wing to continue conducting such awareness and interaction sessions with students in the future.