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Chennai, Oct 28 (IANS) Taking a major step towards curbing the stray dog population and preventing the rabies outbreak, the Tamil Nadu Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department has announced the appointment of 76 district-level animal welfare officers across the state as part of a massive sterilization and vaccination drive.
The initiative will be implemented in coordination with the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board (TNAWB), which is preparing to launch a massive anti-rabies vaccination drive in collaboration with corporations, municipalities and town panchayats outside Chennai.
The move comes amid growing concerns over stray dog attacks and the spread of zoonotic diseases.
According to a recent government order, the 76 new appointments will include 38 district-level animal welfare officers and 38 veterinary doctors specializing in animal birth control (ABC) surgeries.
These posts will be filled on a one-year contract basis, with extension possible based on performance and requirements.
The recruitment process is expected to be completed by the first week of December. The newly-appointed officers will oversee a range of responsibilities – from ensuring humane conduct of traditional events like Jallikattu and taking legal action in animal cruelty cases to running awareness campaigns on responsible pet ownership, rabies prevention and sterilization.
To strengthen the infrastructure for the upcoming drive, the department has also proposed to set up 38 new ABC centers with shelter facilities, each of which will have the capacity to house 100 dogs.
Additionally, another 100 centers without shelter facilities are planned, which will focus exclusively on sterilization and vaccination procedures. To scientifically track and manage the state’s stray dog population, TNAWB has initiated procurement of 2.4 lakh RFID (radio frequency identification) tags for microchipped sterilized and vaccinated dogs. This will help local bodies monitor coverage and prevent duplication.
“Veterinary surgeons will handle ABC surgeries, provide post-operative care and administer vaccines. Support staff will also be appointed soon to operate these centres,” said a senior official of the department.
The large-scale program is one of Tamil Nadu’s most comprehensive efforts in animal welfare, combining public health goals with the humane management of stray animals.
–IANS
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