Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) is encountering significant challenges in its efforts to sterilise stray dogs, largely due to opposition from some local residents. Despite the ongoing stray dog issue and public complaints, Dr. NP Venkatesh, MCC health officer, notes that not all residents are cooperating to facilitate the sterilisation process.
The sterilisation initiative, supported by the NGO People for Animals (PFA), involves neutering around 10 dogs daily. Dogs are captured, castrated, treated, and then released back to their original locations. However, there have been complaints about the procedure, with some residents alleging that the same dogs are not being returned or that different dogs are being released. In one case, a resident even took legal action against the MCC’s health team under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
The MCC’s animal birth control (ABC) program faces several obstacles, including maintaining records of public complaints and obtaining signatures from residents when releasing the dogs, which some are unwilling to provide. Despite these issues, Dr. Venkatesh reports a decrease in stray dog bite incidents.
PFA managing trustee Savitha Nagabhushan highlighted that the NGO sterilises an average of 270 dogs monthly across Mysuru, Nanjangud, and Hootagalli. To further improve the program, PFA is setting up a new operation theatre. MCC also plans to establish a dedicated stray dog care centre at the Rayanakerr solid waste management plant, with a budget of Rs 2 crore, to enhance their sterilisation efforts.