Activists ‘bite’ Corporation on anti-rabies drive claim

In 2014, the Corporation mooted the project to vaccinate over 80,000 street dogs across the city. The first phase, pegged at a budget of Rs 48 lakh, hoped to target half the number. Three years later, the Corporation claims to have vaccinated 60,826 dogs. 

“This is a one-time project. Till August 2016, 60,826 street dogs were administered anti-rabies vaccine (ARV). Usually, dogs are vaccinated when they are taken for animal birth control (ABC) surgery. Apart from this, we will vaccinate if we get requests from the residents,” said a Corporation official. 

Many city-based activists have doubts about the execution of the project. Dinesh Baba, animal rescuer, said, “We have never seen the Corporation conduct a mass anti-rabies vaccination drive. In fact, we team up with local communities and volunteers to get street dogs vaccinated. The dogs we vaccinate are marked with a beetroot dye. 

During these rounds, we haven’t come across one street dog with any vegetable dye mark,” said Dinesh, who runs Cloud 9 Kennel and Nursing Care. Dr Jerold, an animal behaviourist, said, “One time effort is a waste of money. It must be done every two years.”  

Dr Jayaprakash R, Director of Clinics, TANUVAS, said that in a country like India, where rabies occurrence is more, annual vaccination is a must. Meanwhile, D Karthikeyan, Corporation Commissioner, said, “We are ready to spend money and continue the anti-rabies vaccination drive. We are monitoring the situation before deciding on renewing the initiative.”