Animal Birth Control Programme (dogs)
In order to prevent stray dog menace as well as proper immunization against Rabies infection, the state SPCA introduces Animal Birth Control Programme, instead of any other cruel killing method adopted by municipalities and NACs. A sum of Rs. 35,000/-for the year 1994-95 and sum of Rs. 50,000/- for the year 1996-97 was provided by AWBI to conduct ABC programmes. The following ABC operation was done year wise.

Proposal for ABC Programme to be started in Bhubaneswar Municipality area: Bhubaneswar, the Capital City of Orissa covers around 135 Sq. Kms. and is expanding each successive year. Inhabitants of Bhubaneswar are around 08 lakh, it includes nearly 190 slums having approximately 02 lakh population. These slums are unorganized settlement of human beings generating huge quantities of edible wastes and garbage, which are now becoming a natural attraction of many species of animals and especially stray dogs for seeking food. It is estimated around 15-20 thousands of stray dogs are roaming on the streets of BMC and as prolific breeders their number is increasing day by day with a cumulative increase of 5-10 % every year. These stray/ feral dogs are not only the prime source of rabies but also create lot many accidents, environmental pollution etc. When the dogs cross the roads in search of food, there are large numbers of accidents occurring in the cities. There is environmental pollution due to defecation of dogs in the habitation area leading to contamination of soil with tapeworm eggs causing human health hazards. Many of the deaths in the slums are due to rabies, which is untreated and unreported. At the roadside slaughter places these dogs wait for the thrown offal. The dog being a carnivorous animal stays in groups and once they are in groups they attack their prey in jungles. The same habit is also seen in towns when there are no slaughter of animals due to non-consumption of meat and fish on religious grounds. The dogs in groups are prompted to attack animals and even human beings when they are under starvation .To overcome these unwanted hazards, BMC is presently undertaking the Animal Birth Control Program with the help of PFA (People For Animals) and Dept. of AH and VS of Orissa.Mean while the BMC has proposed to handover the entire program to the Dept. of AH and VS.

In this connection a team from the Dept of A.H&V.S had visited the Visakha SPCA in Vishakapatnam to see their modus operandi. The salient features observed by the team are as follows.

1. VSPCA has provision of kennel for 140 dogs and there is sterilization of 30 dogs every single day, performed by a team of 4 doctors.

2. There is provision of three rooms namely dressing room, preparation room, where the anaesthesia part is taken care of and the operation room where there is provision of two tables so that two operations can be done at a time.

3. Dogs, which are caught, are kept for screening for a day or two so that if they are suffering from any disease, they can be taken care of.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of the program are to:

i) Control the population of dogs
ii) Minimize the incidence of Rabies through immunization.
iii) Prevent unwanted accidents and environmental pollutions

The following infrastructure and operational facilities are to be created to undertake the ABC programme by the Deptt. of AH and VS, Orissa.

1. Kennel: Provision of kennel for keeping dogs is essential to undertake pre & postoperative care. Kennel for 60 dogs can facilitate on an average 200 sterilizations per month (i.e. approximately 15 dogs per camp and 03 camps a week). To undertake sterilization of 1800 dogs, it may take around 9 months. One permanent Kennel for 60 dogs may be constructed at VD campus Sahid Nagar. The specification for dog sheds is 5’ X 3’ X 8’ (LBH)

2. Operation Theatre Facilities: Construction of an Operation Theatre with requisite facilities, one dressing room and one preparation room is required. The provision for disinfectants and other chemicals is required for continuous sterilization and bio-security measures. The list of equipments, Chemicals and medicines required for conducting operation and taking postoperative measures is prepared. The Veterinary Dispensary, Sahidnagar will be developed and equipped to an ideal centre for ABC program.

3. Surgical Intervention: Canine sterilization surgery will be performed by the veterinary surgeons of Khurda district (if required surgeons from other district can be engaged). VD and polyclinic staffs of Sahidnagar will manage postoperative care. Six surgeons can be sent to SPCA, Vishakapatnam or Blue cross, Hyderabad to undergo one week training.

4. Catching and Releasing of Dogs: Six persons are required to restrain, catch and release the dogs in their respective habitat after postoperative care is taken. Out of these 06 persons the job will be divided as follows.  04 will be trained on ethical catching and releasing of dogs. They will also look after the day-to-day activities of kennel. These four personals may be selected out of existing class-IV employees of the department and posted in VD Sahidnagar.  01 driver of the van- The contractual driver of the Animal help Line may be engaged for this purpose also. Another person for record keeping at the site of catching and releasing of the dog.

For this purpose one Livestock Inspector of the Department may be engaged, who will not only keep the records but also assist the Vets in Operation .

METHODOLOGY-

i) Preliminary survey and intimation- A preliminary survey will be conducted ward-wise to get the population data about dogs. The citizens will be informed about the program through wide propaganda.

ii) Procurement of Medicine/Instrument – There will be one purchase committee involving Joint Director, Deputy Director, D.C., Representative from State SPCA, Representative from District SPCA, CDVO, Khurda to finalise the items as per the Scheduled Rate of Contract of Dir. of AH & V.S. The financial flexibility should be there to procure quality items.

iii) Dog catching- It will be done by trained dogcatchers in an ethical manner. They will get the remuneration as specified after releasing the dogs in the same locality.

iv) Sterilization- It will be conducted at VD-Sahidnagar by a team of trained Doctors.

v) Post operative Care- It will be taken care of by the Nodal Officer and staffs VD and Poly Clinic.

vi) Release of the dogs- After the post operative care the dogs will be released at their respective localities on 5th day. The identification mark (ear cut) will be followed.

vii) Certification- The surgeons will certify safety release of dogs.

viii) Monitoring: The details of the ABC operations conducted will be properly maintained in a register.

The officials from the Directorate (Joint Director/ Deputy Director Disease Control) will cross check at least 5% of the dogs sterilized. They will supervise and guide the program as and when required. The Municipality Authority and the other Civic Society representatives can give suggestions. The Director, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services is the final Authority to take any decisions for resolving the issues.

Modus Operandi:

Dr Sashi Bhusan Swain will act as the Nodal Officer for implementing the ABC program in Bhubaneswar Municipality area.

Role of Nodal Officer:

i) He will be responsible for the implementation of the project.
ii) He will Co- ordinate with BMC, Dist and State SPCA, Directorate and others.
iii) He will receive the advance for the program from different sources and submit expenditure statement.
iv) He will maintain all records and prepare monthly and annual reports.

EXPENDITURE PLAN