Animal rights groups ask for stray dog vaccination in Budget

There has been a visible spike in lethal infections like canine distemper among street dogs in city

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Animal rights groups in the city have submitted a memorandum to the BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath to allot the required budget for canine core vaccine for street dogs that are suffering from CD virus attacks. “We are hereby submitting the vaccination proposal for approval to BBMP, for administering annually, the basic core 9-in-1 vaccine (citing as an example, the USFDA approved Nobivac),” the memorandum read.

Over the last few years, there has been a visible spike in lethal infections like canine distemper, parvovirus and leptospirosis among street dogs across the city, which in turn can lead to massive spread to other species, including wildlife.

This has resulted in most dogs succumbing and some of them surviving with a compromised immune system. The requirement is to overcome the rising fatalities and to improve human-dog coexistence and relationship, with a disease-free, safe, healthy environment for the dogs living on the streets.

“We have not asked for anything extra, but have asked them to allot a certain portion of the budget set out for stray dogs to be exclusively dedicated to vaccinations,” Arun Prasad, an animal rights activist said. He added that the Dog Rules 2001 and a PIL filed at the Delhi High Court have brought the same issue to light and the municipal authorities must address it.