MC starts feeding stray dogs in Ludhiana

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 27

Animal Birth Control (ABC) Centre of the Municipal Corporation, which is running a programme for sterilisation of stray dogs, has taken an initiative to feed stray dogs. The Animal Welfare Board of India has also written to the chief secretaries of all states and UTs to do the needful so that the animals and birds do not suffer due to hunger.

On the request of the president of Vets Society for Animal Welfare and Rural Development, Dr Muralidhar, the local MC centre has started feeding the stray dogs across the city, said Dr Harbans Singh Dhalla, Senior Veterinary Officer-cum-in charge of ABC Centre.

“Dr OP Chaudhary, Chairman of Animal Welfare Board of India, has also appealed to feed stray animals under the prevailing situation. We have provided curfew passes to the team in uniform which will go out daily to feed the stray dogs from 6 am to 9 am and from 5 pm to 8 pm,” he said.

Dr Dhalla said they had stopped catching stray dogs for sterilisation under the birth control program for now in view of the ongoing curfew/lockdown situation in the city.

Mayor Balkar Singh Singh Sandhu appreciated the move. He said feeding the speechless creatures was also required, but the team should adhere to the social-distance norm.

In his letter to the chief secretaries of all states and UTs, Dr OP Chaudhary, Chairman of Animal Welfare Board of India, has stated that feed and fodder for large animals and food for companion and stray animals is an essential service and maybe kept operational during lockdown.

Dr Chaudhary has also made a request to the chief secretaries to issue necessary directions to the authorities concerned to create awareness among the public to take care of stray animals during the lockdown. The law enforcement authorities may also be directed to see that the animals and birds do not suffer due to hunger, he stated.