Hi-tech hospital catering to pets in Hebbal soon

Veterinarians need to find solution to problem of stray dogs

At the inauguration of the three-day national congress on canine practices organised by the Indian Society for Advancement of Canine Practice and KVAFSU here, Prof Suresh S Honnappagol, Vice-Chancellor, KVAFSU said, talks were on with a few institutions to establish such a facility to cater to pet animals.

The varsity, he said, had already established a Canine Research and Information Centre exclusively for the Mudhol hounds, the proud canine breed of Karnataka, in its campus at Bidar.

He said, “While the significance of companion animals has become all the more important these days, from security point of view to company, society needs to address the stray dog menace too. For this, effective measures are required to be taken. Similarly, scientific methods should be evolved towards the disposal of animal carcass.”

Urgent need

Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde said, “There is an urgent need for the veterinarians to get more closely involved in the issue of population control of stray dogs and arrive at practical solutions to the problem.”

He said there was a need for veterinarians to promote among their clients the need to adopt stray dogs, besides educating the pet owner about the advances in canine health care.

26 per cent growth

Hegde pointed out, “The dog population in India is growing by 26 per cent a year and India’s pet population is only second to Japan. Canines have an important place in the society for its unstinted loyalty, pleasant behaviour, intelligence and guarding the premises and to reduce the number of security guards.”

The seventh convention on the novel approaches in companion animal practice will be on till January 23.