Lahaul-Spiti launches animal birth control drive

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Campaign targets 60 stray dogs for sterilisation in Keylong and Udaipur to control population growth, reduce rabies and dog-bite risks.

Keylong , August 24

A six-day sterilisation campaign under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Program was launched in Lahaul-Spiti on Monday to curb the growing stray dog population and reduce the risk of dog bites and rabies in the district.

Deputy Commissioner Kiran Bhadana inaugurated the campaign at Gaushal Panchayat in the Keylong subdivision. She said the uncontrolled increase in the stray dog population was a matter of concern and could increase incidents of dog bites and the spread of rabies.

Bhadana said the ABC program was a humane and scientific method of controlling the stray dog population. Under the initiative, stray dogs will be captured and sterilised, then provided necessary treatment and anti-rabies vaccination. After recovery, they will be released back into the same areas from which they were captured.

The initiative, she said, would help control the dog population and prevent the spread of rabies while also reducing the risk of dog-bite incidents during winter.

Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry Dr Poonam Thakur said 30 stray dogs would be sterilised in Keylong from August 24 to 26. The campaign will subsequently be conducted in Udaipur from August 27 to 29, where another 30 dogs have been targeted for sterilisation.

Thakur said the department had sterilised 50 stray dogs last year and administered anti-rabies vaccinations to 534 dogs in the district. She also noted that the Supreme Court had directed effective implementation of the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 across the country.

Bhadana urged panchayat representatives and residents to cooperate with departmental teams to ensure the campaign’s effective implementation across the district.

She also thanked the Manali-based NGO Manali Strays for its support.

Officials of the Animal Husbandry Department, local Mahila Mandal members, and residents were present during the launch.