Mysuru: Corporators have suspected a scam behind the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme as the very intention of checking the population of stray dogs is not meeting the desired purpose. Even after 10 years of its launch in 2009, the statistics provided by MCC officials cannot be fully accepted as there is no respite yet from the stray dogs and their increasing population, alleged Council members.

Corporators expressed their reservations against earmarking five acres of land to open a dedicated Animal Birth Control Centre. As the issue was raised, the Council discussed the ABC programme.

Answering the queries, MCC Commissioner K.H. Jagadeesha said that the tender process is already on for a dedicated ABC Centre. He convinced the Council that any animal-related programmes have                                                   to be carried out according to the regulations. Hence, five acres of land has been set aside for the purpose.

Veterinarian Dr. Suresh brought it to the notice of the Council that ever since the programme was launched to sterilise stray dogs, 41,432 dogs, irrespective of gender, have been sterilised till date with 3,000 more left to be covered.

The job has been outsourced to an agency which will identify and catch such animals and operate on them in keeping with the guidelines. They will be kept under supervision for three days, before releasing them. On an average, 400-500 dogs are sterilised per month.

When the Corporators expressed doubts over the number of stray dogs in the city, the officer clarified that when a sample survey was conducted three years ago, 44,000 such dogs had been identified.

Interrupting the veterinarian, Corporators said that in 2012, when the animal census was conducted, 27,000 dogs had been found. If the ABC programme was successful, how come the stray dog population has doubled, they asked.

The exact population of stray dogs is expected to be known by the end of this month when the ongoing census is expected to be completed, Dr. Suresh said. Responding to the concerns raised by Corporators, Mayor Pushpalatha Jagannath said that a detailed discussion will be taken up in the subsequent Council meetings.