BBMP's app to keep tab on stray dogs in Bengaluru

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has some good news for pet lovers and animal activists in the city. It plans to come out with an app called ‘Shwana’, to track details of each dog, regarding birth control surgery, recovery and even its relocation.

The dog catchers and the NGOs, who look after some of the shelters across the city, will use the app.

“The dog catchers have to upload a photo of each dog through the app after it is caught. They also have to provide details of the location from where the animal was picked up, the time and the geo-coordinates,” said Randeep D, additional commissioner, (admin), BBMP.

Speaking to DH, Dr G Anand, joint director, animal husbandry, BBMP, said this would bring transparency to the entire process of rescuing and providing treatment for dogs.

“The animal activists always complain that the civic body is not transparent. This app will help in overcoming these complaints as the details of every dog can be tracked. The app will be made available across all zones.”

Post-operative record

“Once the dog undergoes the surgery, its post-operative record should be uploaded. The dog should not be relocated beyond 50 meters from where it was picked up. If that happens, the app cannot locate the dog, and so the payment for the surgery cannot be made. This way, we are trying to overcome the complaints regarding relocation,” said Randeep.

Meanwhile, Priya Chetty Rajagopal, an animal activist, feels that “Being an IT city, it is a great move in the right direction. The idea is very good, and as long as the system operating manual (SOP) is followed, it will be very effective for the animal birth control programme in the city.”

The SOP is a document that provides detailed information and procedure from an organisation that provides standard procedure and guidance for employees to perform the functions effectively.