Animal Birth Control: Cuncolim surges ahead
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, JULY 16
The Cuncolim Municipal Council has moved one step forward in its bid to implement the Animal Birth Control scheme in the town.
The Civic body has inked a Memorandum of Understanding with the Goa Animal Welfare Trust (GAWT) to control the rising population of stray dogs in the Municipal jurisdiction.
The MoU signed by Civic Chief Filon Vaz, Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes and President of Goa Animal Welfare Trust Suresh Kakodkar provides for controlling the population of stray dogs and reduce the incidence of rabies within the municipal area.
The scheme envisaged implementation of the scheme to implement a method of catching, transporting, sterilization and immunization of strays and provides for treatment of diseased dogs and destruction of rabid, aggressive, critically ill and fatally injured dogs.
The Chief Officer informed that the actual implementation of the scheme would begin no sooner land acquired for the proposed garbage treatment plant is available for the purpose.
The MoU will remain in effect for a period of five years, with yearly review. The agreement may be extended at the behest of both the parties for an additional period of time to be determined after the initial five year period.
As the MoU, a monitoring committee is proposed to be appointed for effective implementation of the scheme, comprising of the Civic Chairperson, Councilors, a veterinary officer deputed by the government and one representative from GAWT to implement, monitor and create public awareness of program.
The Committee will review progress of the Animal Birth Control scheme and submit the same to the Animal Welfare Advisory Board in Goa and the Animal Welfare Board of India, Chennai, as required.
Replying to a question, the CMC Chief officer said the Civic body had discarded the past inhumane method of elimination of stray dogs in view of the high court directions and directives from the Animal Welfare Board of India.
