'Pet rules to cover up irregularities in ABC centres'

Animal rights activists have accused the BBMP of bringing in new pet rules to cover up massive irregularities in their Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme.

The ABC centres at three zones, in particular, are poorly maintained, they said, listing out unhygienic conditions, lack of transparency and uncertified staff as the major problems there.

"None of the doctors sterilising stray dogs here are certified by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) or, at least, by the Karnataka Veterinary Council (KVC)," animal rights activist Sujaya Jagadish told DH.

"They also don't maintain the log book while getting out and catching the dogs. This is leading to animal dislocations and territorial fights," she added.

Their allegations are specifically aimed at the ABC centres at the Mahadevapura, east and west zones. Activists are also concerned by the lack of hygiene and post-operative care for the animals.

"The centres' in-charges have barred us from entering the premises without official notification. The tenders have been awarded to the same groups for several years. When we questioned this through an RTI application, we didn't get a response. My suspicion is that the BBMP has come up with the new pet rules to cover up these (irregularities)," said another activist, Sujatha Prasanna.

"Otherwise, why else should the pets with caretakers bother the civic body, when they have plenty of civic issues?" she said.

Recently, an FIR was filed against Dr G Anand, joint director, BBMP animal husbandry department; additional director Basavaraj; and west zone ABC centre in-charge Abhilash Maddur over intense cruelty to animals.

Sarfaraz Khan, BBMP joint commissioner for health and solid waste management, rubbished the allegations. "I chaired the meeting and answered all (the activists') queries. I had asked them to directly approach me if they had issues and suggestions, to which they agreed," Khan said.

He also clarified that the activists were asked to take permission from the authorities to visit the ABC centres to prevent anyone from entering the place.