Ranchi: Two vehicles were flagged off by mayor Roshni Khalkho from the Ranchi Municipal Corporation office on Thursday, which will be used to capture stray dogs and transport them for treatment, vaccination and sterilisation. The initiative aims to ensure humane management of stray animals while addressing concerns related to public health and safety, she said.Khalkho added, “The number of stray dogs has increased significantly. Many abandon their pet dogs when they develop problems. After being left on the streets, these dogs may bite people. These vehicles will catch such stray dogs and arrange for their treatment. They will be taken to the Chutia hospital for medical care. Our aim is to ensure that residents remain healthy, safe and secure.”RMC assistant health officer, Dr Kiran Kumari, said that Ranchi has an estimated stray dog population of around 34,000. She said that vaccination and sterilisation of stray dogs are being carried out regularly under the animal birth control programme. She added, “Continued sterilisation and vaccination efforts are expected to keep the stray dog population stable and may gradually reduce it in the future.”Explaining how rescued animals are handled, she said, “Our dog catchers are well trained. By observing a dog, they can identify the best way to handle it. Even aggressive dogs are managed carefully and safely.”Addressing concerns of animal lovers, the officer said that RMC has identified 57 zones across 53 wards to facilitate the feeding of stray dogs in an organised manner.
