Humane Society International (HSI), the NGO that is undertaking the first ever dog census in Ahmedabad, is all set to begin its work.
As per the plan, HSI officials will start by dividing the city into zones to commence the census. HSI India director Rahul Sehgal said, they would start the dog counting from August 8.
"There will be nine people working for the dog counting. From Sunday, we will start studying details and dividing the city into zones to carry out the counting work," said Sehgal.For the census, nine people will identify the streets or wards and count the canines in the area while roaming on motor bikes and/or cycles.
After much furore following the controversy of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation catching dogs with iron tongs, the AMC has signed an MoU with the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to carry out an animal birth control programme through dog sterilisation and vaccination, and train officials in catching dogs with nets.
The dog census is the first step to start the sterilisation and vaccination programme. The AMC wanted to get a figure of the total number of dogs in Ahmedabad to facilitate the sterilisation and vaccination programmes. Arandom estimate says city has more than 3 lakh stray dogs.
Meanwhile, at the health committee meeting in the AMC, Congress members fumed over the AMC's indifferent approach to training officials in catching dogs with nets.
However, deputy municipal commissioner for health and solid waste management, IK Patel said they would be sending cattle nuisance control department (CNCD) officials to an NGO in Jodhpur for training in dog catching.
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