Seeking to make Punjab a model State for rabies and dog-bite prevention, the State Government has initiated mass anti-rabies vaccination of street dogs in 11 of the 22 districts of the State.
This state-funded and managed programme is only the third in the country to exclusively take up vaccination of dogs.
The initiative follows a proposal by organisations Peedu’s People and Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO), under their Rabies Free India campaign.
To address the issue of human-dog conflict in a holistic manner, the State Health authorities had earlier provided counselling facility for dog-bite victims in the two civil dispensaries at Sector 19 and Sector 38 of the city. The programme ensures that dog-bite victims get the necessary post-bite care, information and emotional support.
In a statement, lakshmi Venkataraman, Campaign Coordinator, Rabies Free India, FIAPO said, “This programme by the Punjab government is a huge step in the right direction. Rabies is one of the key health issues faced by the Indian public, yet it has historically been low on the government’s priority list. Mass vaccination of street dogs has effectively curbed rabies in the past – Sikkim and Goa are examples of this."
Inder Sandhu, Founder, Peedu’s People further added, “This step by the government is crucial to eliminate rabies in a scientific and calculated manner. Random vaccinations of dogs and post-bite care for humans alone have not worked for decades and will never be enough in eliminating rabies.”
Efforts are also underway with four government departments to scientifically and humanely reduce human-dog conflict in the state – urban and rural department, animal husbandry, education and health. This holistic approach to rabies and dog-bite management is pertinent in light of the position of the Supreme Court, which in J0uly strongly reprimanded individuals who were killing street dogs in other parts of the country.