Experts seek probe into animal birth control programme in Sambhajinagar

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: With the allegedspiralling of the stray dog population and rampant cases of dog bites, different experts have sought a high-level inquiry into the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Despite spending crores of rupees towards the programme, the stray dog population remains uncontrolled in the city with a section of experts allege that the ABC programme exists only on paper to usurp funds without carrying dog sterilization in real."The civic authorities are reluctant to share details of the ABC programme despite repeated pleas. There is no reason for the authorities to deny transparency. Also, no monitoring panelswere formed for execution of the programme despite umpteen reminders," animal rights activist BerrylSanchis said.Advocate Niranjan Deshpande said the civic authorities did not share incidents of dog bites for the entire municipal limitsdespite filing applications under the RTI Act 2005."We strongly believe that the ABC rules 2023 are not being followed in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. As per rules, the programme should be more focussed in areas having higher dog bites. If no data of dog bites is available, the rule is bound to go for a toss," he said. Notably, the NGO roped in for the execution of the ABC programme by Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) has been already facing charges of exhibiting cruelty towards stray dogs at a lone shelter available. Taking note of the complaints by the local animal lovers, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray on Feb 23 sent a letter to CM Devendra Fadnavis demanding suspension of the license of the NGO concerned. Animal husbandry officer with Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation Shaikh Shahed Shaikh Nizam did not respond to calls or text messages. Meanwhile, the four-year-old girl who received over 100 injuries on her different body parts due to the attack of stray dogs on Saturday is stable and recovering. "We demand a solution to the menace of stray dogs without further delay.Nobody should suffer like my grand-daughter is suffering," her grandmother Saeeda said.