Public resistance hits sterilisation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The canine sterilisation programme of the City Corporation is moving at a slow pace owing to resistance from the public. The Corporation had hired the services of around four persons for the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme. ‘’The Corporation is ready to carry out the programme in full swing if the residents cooperate,’’ said Deputy Mayor G Happykumar. According to rules, the sterilised animals have to be released back at the location from where they were caught.  ‘’The Corporation staff face stiff opposition from the residents when they arrive back to release the canines. Hence, we have now taken a decision to carry out the programme only where the residents cooperate,’’ Happykumar said.The unscientific garbage disposal in the city after the closure of the Vilappilsala garbage plant has worsened the situation. Nithin, a resident of Sasthamangalam, one of the several places in city from where cases of street dog attacks were reported, says that night travel along the road has become a hellish experience. ‘’The dogs drag the wastes to the road and the packs of dogs assembled attack passersby,’’ he said. A good majority of the city streets are now under the canine rule in the night. ‘’Motorists, especially those on motorbikes, are often chased and attacked,’’ said a cop who is in the night patrolling team of the Museum Police station.The Corporation, which is busy pondering over an early solution for the rising garbage menace, has not taken the situation seriously.  ‘’Since the release of animals is prevented, we thought of setting up a shelter to house the captured animals. But lack of sufficient space is standing in the way,’’ Happykumar said.