Chennai, Oct 28 (NationPress) In a significant initiative aimed at controlling the stray dog population and mitigating rabies risks, the Tamil Nadu Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services has declared the recruitment of 76 district-level animal welfare officers throughout the state as part of an extensive sterilisation and immunisation effort.

This initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board (TNAWB), which is gearing up to launch a comprehensive anti-rabies vaccination campaign in partnership with local corporations, municipalities, and town panchayats outside Chennai.

The decision arises in response to increasing anxiety over stray dog attacks and the transmission of zoonotic diseases.

As per a recent government directive, the newly appointed officers will consist of 38 district-level animal welfare officers and 38 veterinary surgeons skilled in Animal Birth Control (ABC) surgeries.

These roles will be filled on a one-year contract, with the potential for extensions based on job performance and needs.

The selection process is anticipated to conclude by the first week of December. The newly appointed officers will undertake a variety of duties, including ensuring humane treatment during traditional events like jallikattu and pursuing legal action against animal cruelty, as well as conducting campaigns that promote responsible pet ownership, rabies prevention, and sterilisation.

To enhance infrastructure for the upcoming initiative, the department has proposed the establishment of 38 new ABC centres equipped with shelter facilities for up to 100 dogs each.

Furthermore, an additional 100 centres are planned without shelter facilities, focusing solely on sterilisation and vaccination efforts. To systematically track and manage the stray dog population, the TNAWB has begun acquiring 2.4 lakh RFID (radio frequency identification) tags to microchip sterilised and vaccinated dogs. This will enable local authorities to monitor coverage and avoid duplication.

"The veterinary surgeons will perform ABC surgeries, provide post-operative care, and administer vaccines. Additional staff for the operation of these centres will also be recruited shortly," stated a senior official from the department.

This extensive programme represents one of Tamil Nadu's most thorough initiatives in animal welfare, merging public health objectives with the compassionate management of stray animals.