THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the increase in stray dog attack, the government direction to urgently set up sterilisation centres for stray dogs will not be implemented immediately. The decision was to begin one sterilisation centre for two block panchayats.

Centres can be started only by following the norms of Animal Welfare Board of India. The block panchayats says that it should take at least six months. Although sterilization was earlier carried out by Kudumbashree from 2017 to last year, the High Court stopped the activities due to lack of infrastructure. Facilities like operation theatre, post and pre-operation wards, store, CCTV, AC, kitchen etc. are required in the sterilization centre. Employees should also be appointed. Another challenge is finding a hospital for sterilisation and a place for the dogs to stay.

If block panchayats takes in-charge of sterilisation it costs Rs 1500 per dog.