BBMP to launch animal rescue ambulances

The city will soon have an exclusive ambulance to rescue ailing and injured animals, with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike scheduled to introduce it after the elections.

The civic body has set aside Rs 25 lakh to buy three ambulances to launch the service, which animal lovers can summon by contacting the BBMP control room.

“Once the call (to the control room) is made, the ambulance will dash off to pick up the animal and take it to the nearest veterinary clinic or animal birth control centres for first aid and pain relief,” a BBMP official said.

Rescue efforts will be focused mostly on urban strays like dogs, cats and monkeys. The ambulance will be equipped with surgical instruments, sterilisers and support tools to treat the animals.

“Many stray animals in the city die untreated during an emergency. The animal ambulance will be useful, particularly for accidents occurring in the odd hours on the city roads,” the official added.

The BBMP is also planning to train the staff in the ambulance to give first aid and life-saving drugs to the animals on the spot. The officials are planning to extend the services to pet dogs or ruminants in emergencies.