Proper policy a must for long term solution, say experts

LUCKNOW: The state government must come up with a proper policy for sterilisation of stray dogs on the lines of castration of bulls, if it wants a long-term solution to the canine menace, said experts.

Recently, the UP government had come up with a policy for castration of bulls to keep check on the ever-increasing bovine population.

Doctors of state-run veterinary hospitals were directed to carry out castration drive in their respective regions.

However, there is no such policy for sterilisation of stray dogs at the government level. Civic bodies carry out such drives at their own level.

“If we want a long-term solution to stray dog menace, then sterilisation is the only way,” said Dr AK Srivastava, veterinary hospital, Lucknow.

“Sterilisation is a long process to keep a check on stray dog population, but it is very helpful in the long run,” he added.

The initiative has to be taken at the government level as civic bodies all across the state have meagre funds to carry out sterilisation drives, said experts.

“A clear cut government policy has to be in place regarding sterilisation of stray dogs with allocation of funds for the project,” said another veterinary doctor.

The over protection of cows has increased bovine population across UP and now villagers are finding it difficult to protect their crops from cows, said experts.

“The state government is

grappling with twin problems of cow and stray dog menace. A clear cut policy must be there to resolve both the issues.

A pan-state sterilisation drive of dogs is a must if we want to keep a check on their population,” said Neeraj Srivastava, a Lucknow-based wildlife activist.

Veterinary hospitals in UP districts are grappling with shortage of funds.

They need to be upgraded and civic bodies must be allocated more funds to carry out sterilisation of dogs, added wildlife experts.