Veterinary dept shortages hit stray dog capture, sterilisation

At a time when the issue of stray animals in the national capital is directly under the spotlight, the key department which is expected to control the stray dog and cattle population is notonly headless but also suffers from large-scale vacancies across different job profiles ranging form animal catcher field staff, drivers to operate van, inspectors and veterinary officers.

- Paras Singh

According to MCD data, of 649 sanctioned posts in the veterinary department, 277 are vacant, which is a shortfall of 42.68%. The post of director has remained vacant for over nine months, while one of two additional director posts is also unfilled.

‘A senior municipal official said that the leadership gap is hampering coordination. “The director is expected to steer the department and oversee its functions. Now that a mammoth exercise has been ordered by the court, the manpower would need to be increased, but we don’t have employees even on the sanctioned positions,” the official said.