Mysuru: Mysureans have lived with the problem of stray dogs for years and there seems to be no relief in sight. They blame the Mysuru City Corporation’s failure to properly implement Animal Birth Control programme for the rise in number of stray dogs.

Stray dogs are a menace to people on the road, especially children, as well as two-wheeler riders, as the highly territorial animals often chase them.

Fed up by constant complaints of stray dog menace especially from residential pockets, the MCC has launched a drive to sterilise the dogs to control their population. The issue of stray dogs rocked the MCC Council meeting held yesterday where many Corporators expressed their concern over the problem. They said that stray dog attacks were on the rise in the city and the authorities concerned had failed to take measures for curbing the menace.

As part of the drive, stray dogs are picked up from extensions and residential areas and are incapacitated to reproduce by surgical removal (neutering) of uteruses and ovaries from bitches and testes from male dogs. After recuperation and post-operative care, the dogs are left behind at the respective places from where they were picked up, according to MCC officers.

Teams have been formed to catch the strays and each team has skilled dog-catchers, equipped with sufficient number of nets. Stray dogs caught are loaded to a lorry and transported to the veterinary hospital for sterilisation. The neutered stray dogs are also administered anti-rabies vaccine before leaving them back.

At the MCC meeting held yesterday, Corporators Rathna, Umamani and Reshma Jabeen said dog biting incidents have created fear among children and over 50 dogs roam in every area. Corporator S. Balasubramanya (Snake Shyam) said that he was ready to take care of street dogs, if MCC officials failed to act and sought permission from the members.

MCC Commissioner G. Jagadeesha said that there was no provision to catch stray dogs and they can’t even shift the strays from one place to another. Killing dogs is banned under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. He said that the only solution was to neuter the dogs so that the stray population comes down gradually.