‘Crematoria sans transport a farce’

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has earmarked Rs 20 crore for antirabies and five-in-one vaccines to address the stray dog menace here. The civic body stressed that it would carry out the process of spraying and neutering strays this year. Apart from this, two electric crematoriums worth Rs 5 crore have been sanctioned for dogs and other animals.

According to local animal activist and pet-sitting expert Malessa, many government veterinary facilities lack skilled staff, and the pre-existing ones provide a “loveless” environment for injured and traumatised dogs, as the staff resorts to violence to instil discipline in them.

She also said that there their hygiene is compromised in most governmentowned shelters, and the same can be said for other shelters too. Lack of cleanliness has become a major threat for Parvo and Distemper infections as these diseases occur due to infected faeces that are not cleaned on a regular basis.

“There is no proper facility for transporting animals to government facilities, so adding an electric crematorium makes no sense as many strays die unattended. From most pet lovers I have come across, burial seems a better option. It is due to the passionate support of volunteers, NGOs and doctors that the government unit is able to function. The civic body should focus on training their staff, hiring more and of course, cleanliness,” she added.