Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) is yet to start the canine sterilization programme though it was supposed to do so eight years ago in this south Odisha city.
The civic body received Rs 15 lakh from the government for the purpose about five years ago. The remaining cost of Rs 5 lakh will be borne by it.
"The programme was delayed as no private party came forward to take up the project when the corporation decided to outsource it," said health officer S K Das, adding now the civic body would conduct the programme on its own.
Das said the corporation has already procured a dog-carrying vehicle and trained four of its staff members to catch the animals. The programme is likely to start next month after kennel houses are built and necessary equipment procured in consultation with veterinary surgeons.
Construction of a total of 18 kennel houses is nearing completion. "We have submitted a list of the necessary equipment. We need to build an operation threatre for the animals," said chief district veterinary officer (CDVO), Ganjam Trinath Nayak.
He said there has been no census of the dog population in the town for the last 10 years.
Meanwhile, there has been a spurt in dog bite cases. On an average, MKCG Medical College and Hospital receives around 25 bite cases daily, said head of the department of community medicine Radhamadhav Tripathy.
"Of them, 30 per cent cases are reported from the town. Most victims are children," added Tapas Behera, an assistant professor.
