Srinagar, May 2: Finally, the much hyped dog sterilization is all set to start Thursday at the state-of-the-art dog pound at Shuhama constructed at a cost of over Rs one crore by the government out of public money.
 This, the officials revealed, following a visit of the SMC top brass including its Commissioner Dr GN Qasba to the dog pound Wednesday afternoon.
 Dr Qasba was accompanied by the Vice-Chancellor of the SK University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), the varsity which has provided land for the construction of the pound.
 While the SKUAST people provided land, the financial expenditure was made by the SMC including installation of surgical equipment at a cost of around Rs half a million.
 The SMC Veterinary Officer, Dr Sajad Mughal who has been associated with the Shuhama project since its inception last year said the civic body eyes to sterilize around 40 dogs a day and the number would be subsequently increased with time.
 Dr Sajad who accompanied Dr Qasba said, sterilization of dogs was the only legal solution to the tackle the dog menace.
 He said that for sterilization of the dogs, the male of the specie would be caught and impounded for sterilization.
 “After sterilization, they will be set free in their respective localities. Dogs are territorial animals, we can’t set them free randomly after sterilization but that they will be set free as per their area of domain,” he explained.
 The sources said the SMC had planned to spend over Rs hundred a day on the dog food which would include Kellogg Cornflakes, Pedigree Dog biscuits, boiled eggs, half-a-litre milk and mutton.
 The SMC Commissioner is however believed to have strongly contested the recommendations of the experts and said that no more than Rs 30 could be spent on the food of impounded dogs.
 Though considered an astute animal lover, Dr Qasba is understood to have told the team of experts that “when thousands of humans don’t get such royal food how could the same be given to the dogs.”
 Despite repeated attempts Dr Qasba couldn’t be contacted for comments. When contacted the SMC Media Relations Officer Masarat Yousuf confirmed that not more than Rs 30 would be spend on dog food per day.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 2 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 2 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 3 May 2012 00:00:00 IST