Chennai

Dr. Shiranee Pereira, of PFA, who was until March this year, running the ABC programme at Pulianthope said the Corporation officials unceremoniously threw out her belongings without any intimation. “The mass ABC programme was started by three animal welfare NGOs — Blue Cross, People for Animals and SPCA in 1995. After we took over the ABC program, the incidence of human rabies dropped to nil from 2009 and then again in 2014-15. Among the three NGOs, an average of 20,000 dogs were operated and immunised against rabies every year, with funds from the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) from 1995 until 2012. From 2013, on the request of the NGOs, the Corporation allocated a budget for the programme, which we hear is close to Rs 2 crores annually. In 2013, the Blue Cross was asked to relinquish the ABC centre at Lloyds Colony and PFA was edged out. Why this sudden interest now?” she questioned. The corporation has allocated around Rs. 450 per dog for the program. A few months ago, based on complaints by animal activists, AWBI conducted an inspection of the Lloyd’s Road pound, which was found to be lacking in many aspects.

Balasubramaniam, Member of Blue Cross India, said, “We want an immediate suspension of the ABC program and an inquiry has to be initiated in this pound.” Refuting these allegations, Dr. TM Mahendran, Veterinary Officer, Corporation of Chennai, said, “We are taking all the precautions and ensuring that everything is done in a proper manner.”