With the Supreme Court cracking the whip on States and Union Territories over the removal of street dogs from public spaces, major local bodies in Ernakulam have launched measures to speed up the sterilisation and sheltering processes.

The district panchayat is planning to implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme in all local bodies. Along with the ABC programme, the panchayat has decided to set up more shelters for dogs undergoing sterilisation and make the licensing of pet dogs mandatory. A series of reforms, including the licensing of dog breeders, will be implemented as part of the initiative, district panchayat president K.G. Radhakrishnan said.

The decision to implement a comprehensive plan to permanently address the street dog issue was taken by the District Planning Committee (DPC). Mr. Radhakrishnan presided over the DPC meeting. District CollectorPriyanka G. and District Planning Officer G. Ullas were present.

Mr. Radhakrishnan said the street dog issue should be addressed through a three-pronged strategy—identifying where the dogs come from, efficiently implementing the ABC programme, and sheltering dogs with the help of NGOs. “We are in talks with some organisations,” he added.

“An often-overlooked aspect of the street dog issue is where many of these dogs come from. Pet dogs are often abandoned on the streets, and to prevent this, we will make the licensing and microchipping of dogs mandatory. This will help us trace dogs to their owners and identify those who abandon them on the streets,” said Mr. Radhakrishnan. The dogs’ names, breeds, owners’ names, and addresses will be linked to the database of local bodies.

Vaccination camps for stray and domestic dogs will be organised with the support of the Department of Animal Husbandry. More dog catchers will be trained as part of the implementation of the ABC programme, he said, adding, “We will rope in voluntary organisations as well to manage the shelters.”

Meanwhile, the Kochi Corporation is gearing up to obtain fresh approval from the council for the allocation of land to set up dog shelters at Brahmapuram. “At present, street dogs are being sterilised in accordance with the catch-and-release policy. Once the shelter is set up, they will be housed there. We are also considering setting up cages to house the dogs,” said Mayor V.K. Minimol.