The growing problem of stray dogs and the increasing incidents of dog bites in Delhi has got the authorities working for its solution. A step in this direction was taken as V.K. Saxena, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor approved allotment of land for establishing a dog sterilisation centre cum veterinary hospital and dispensary.

This centre cum hospital will be located in Delhi’s southwest area in Vasant Kunj. The land will be provided by the Delhi Development Authority to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and it will measure 483 square metres.

The facility on this land will be developed through public-private partnership mode. While approving the proposal, the LG directed the DDA to ensure that since the proposed facility comes under essential municipal services, the sterilisation of stray dogs should be done free of cost.

For running this facility, revenue will be generated through other means, like services and treatment of pets. The centre will be set up in build operate and transfer mode with the conditions that all expenses for construction, medical equipment, operations and payment to employees shall be borne by the PPP partners selected through a bidding process, officials said.

The successful bidder will pay an annual license fee to the MCD.

The Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rule, 2001, deals with the population control of strays and provides for the neutering strays to achieve population stabilisation, as opposed to killing them.