HDMC to open sterilisation centre for stray dog control

Hubballi: In a bid to address the surge in stray dog menace, the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) will soon open a sterilisation centre. A location was identified, and the plan received unanimous support at the recent general body meeting.
The animal birth control (ABC) programme faced challenges in Hubballi-Dharwad due to the lack of adequate facilities for sterilisation procedures. To resolve this situation, the health standing committee of HDMC initiated a search for suitable land within its jurisdiction to establish a dedicated sterilisation centre. This new facility aims to streamline the sterilisation process and enhance the programme's efficiency.
Based on HDMC sources, the current sterilisation capacity is limited to approximately 20 stray dogs due to inadequate infrastructure. With enhanced facilities and proper arrangements, a higher number of stray dogs could undergo the sterilisation procedure at the facility.
The newly approved sterilisation centre will be established near Shivalli village on the outskirts of Hubballi. The facility will be equipped with modern surgical equipment and trained veterinary staff to perform safe sterilisation procedures under animal welfare organisations. The HDMC plans to capture stray dogs in a humane manner using specialised vehicles and trained personnel.
The centre will have the capacity to sterilise approximately 100 to 120 dogs per day. After surgery, the dogs will be kept under observation for seven days, before being released back to their original locations. The corporation has allocated sufficient funds for this initiative, including post-operative care and medication.
Special attention will be given to maintaining hygiene standards at the facility. The corporation plans to maintain detailed records of all sterilised dogs through proper identification methods. This systematic approach will help prevent repeat captures and ensure better monitoring of the stray dog population.
Rajanna Koravi, chairman of the health standing committee, confirmed the identification of a 67-acre plot in Shivalli village. The property features an existing shed, perimeter compound, and essential utilities including water and electricity connections. However, the site requires kennels to be constructed before operations can commence.
The general body has already granted approval for utilising the 67-acre land and existing shed for the sterilisation programme. Officials will soon initiate the tender process for kennel construction. Once the kennels are ready, the sterilisation programme will begin at the facility. Koravi mentioned that HDMC intends to accelerate the sterilisation efforts by collaborating with additional animal welfare organisations and agencies.
Dr AG Kulkarni, the veterinary official for HDMC, stated that Hubballi-Dharwad has approximately 40,000 stray dogs. Currently, about 20% of these dogs have been sterilised. He indicated that with adequate facilities in place, they could increase the number of sterilisation operations.