Karwar: Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner (DC) K. Lakshmi Priya has issued strict directions to officials of all concerned departments, instructing them to fully implement the Supreme Court (SC) guidelines aimed at controlling the increasing menace and aggressive behaviour of stray dogs in the district. She also asked them to submit detailed reports within the stipulated timeframe.
She was speaking while chairing a review meeting held at the DC Office to assess the implementation of the Supreme Court’s instructions regarding the control of stray dog menace across the district.
The DC directed officials to identify and submit reports on the number of stray dogs present in all government and private educational institutions, hospitals, primary health centres, medical colleges, playgrounds, bus stands, bus depots, railway stations, and other public places within the prescribed period.
She instructed local urban bodies to capture identified stray dogs and house them safely either in fenced areas or suitable cages, and to carry out sterilisation procedures wherever necessary. She further asked them to work in coordination with nearby gram panchayats in this process.
Pointing out that stray dogs often gather near bus stands and railway stations due to food waste and improper disposal of garbage, the DC instructed the concerned departments to ensure that food waste and trash do not accumulate at these locations. Directions were also issued to National Highway Authority and the Public Works Department to take necessary measures to control stray dog presence along national and state highways.
The DC further directed that awareness programmes be organised in all schools to educate teachers and students about first aid measures in case of dog bites and precautionary steps to avoid such incidents. The Health Department was instructed to ensure there is no shortage of rabies vaccines in the district.
She emphasized that the State Government has to submit a detailed report to the Supreme Court regarding stray dog control measures, and therefore, all departments must fulfill their responsibilities, complete the required tasks within the stipulated time, and submit their reports along with necessary documents.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Dilish Shashi (CEO, Zilla Panchayat), Sajid Mulla (Additional DC), Zaheer Abbas (Town Planning Director), Dr. Mohan Kumar (Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry Department), and officials from various other departments.