Kathmandu, May 25:

Chief executive officer of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Dinesh Thapaliya said yesterday that the KMC will work with the Kathmandu Animal Treatment Centre (KAT) to humanely control the population of stray dogs in the city.

Thapaliya, speaking at a function organised to mark the fourth anniversary of the KAT, said land will be provided to the KAT in its bid to bring down the population of stray dogs in the city.

To control the population of stray dogs in a humane and sustainable manner, the KAT sterilises bitches and administers anti-rabies vaccination.

By sterilising 5,700 bitches in the last four years, the KAT has prevented the birth of 55,000 puppies. The KAT said it has also rescued and treated 1,400 sick or injured dogs during the same period. Addressing the programme, KAT chairman and comedian Hari Bamsha Acharya said, “In a civilised society, one cannot even think of killing dogs by administering poison.” KAT founder Jan Salter claimed there are a very few or no puppies on the streets where KAT is working. Dogs on these streets are happier and healthier, Salter said.

A British artist who has been working in Nepal for 40 years, Jan Salter founded the KAT with support from renowned persons from various walks of life, including Acharya, fellow comedian Madan Krishna Shrestha, journalist Kanak Mani Dixit, Dr Baburam Gautam, Durgesh Nandini Bhattachan, Lottie Weise, Neeta Pokhrel, Gaurinath Rimal and Laxmi Sharma. The KAT aims to sterilise around 1,500 dogs. It also aims to rescue and treat 500 dogs this year.