Who will relocate stray animals of Ludhiana? MC drives, sterilisation project fail to yield desired results, residents suffer

Tomorrow is Diwali, one of the biggest festivals of North India, and Ludhiana is all set to celebrate it in style but the festival can be stressful for animals, especially stray animals who have nobody to take care of and are left to wander on roads. Fireworks can be stressful for them and could also become cause of accidents on city roads.

The issue that has been constantly worrying city residents is stray cattle and dog menace. Many times, stray cattle leads to accidents on roads, especially during night. Packs of dogs can be seen everywhere. chasing every passer-by and passing vehicle. Stray dogs have made life miserable for residents, particularly children and the elderly. Who will take care of the stray animals ? Who will relocate them to a safer place so that residents feel safe and also these animals are sheltered and guarded.

Though several drives have been undertaken by the Municipal Corporation to solve the issue of stray animals, these has failed to produce significant results.

Stray cows, bulls and dogs can be seen roaming around on main roads, which often leads to accidents. Be it city areas such as Madhopuri, Salem Tabri, Shivpuri, Jassian Road or posh localities such as BRS Nagar, Sarabha Nagar or Gurdev Nagar, stray animals can be seen in every locality. These animals not only affect the smooth flow of traffic but also lead to fatal road accidents.

On an average, 70-90 cases of dog bites are registered every day at the Civil Hospital. Despite efforts of the Municipal Corporation to carry out a dog sterilisation project in the city, there is no let-up in dog-bite cases in the city.

MLA Ashok Prashar had also raised the issue of stray dog menace in the Punjab Assembly and had demanded to construct dog shelters in all four zones of the city.

“Such is the terror of stray dogs in the locality that we cannot go on foot. We also avoid two-wheelers as stray dogs start chasing two-wheeler riders. Recently, a woman was bitten by dogs while she was taking a walk in the morning,” said Jatinder Kaur, a resident of BRS Nagar.

“Only sterilisation is not the remedy as it does not put an end to their aggressive behaviour. The only remedy is to establish dog shelters and cow cess can be used to build, maintain and monitor these,” said Pawan, a city resident.

Meanwhile, over Rs 20 crore has been collected as cow cess but efforts to solve the problem of stray cattle are insufficient. According to experts, the use of oxytocin injection to increase the milk production, has rendered a large number of cows unproductive, which are often left by their owners after they stop giving milk.

“Last year, I met with an accident when a cow came running on the road from nowhere. I fractured my leg and it was a horrific incident. The authorities concerned should do something to locate them as they create nuisance and pose serious threat to life,” said Yuvika, a resident of Rajguru Nagar.

Residents said the MC had been collecting huge amount of cow cess then why it was not using the same to check the stray cattle menace. It has become a serious concern and should be taken care of at the earliest.

“Strict action should be taken against dairy farmers who abandon their cows. Microchips should be installed in cows to help identify their owners in case they are found abandoned on roads,” said another city resident.

Senior officials from the Municipal Corporation cite the shortage of space for sheltering cows as the main reason behind why they find themselves helpless in solving the issue. The law also prohibits capturing and translocating of stray dogs, except for animal birth control. “Shortage of space is the major concern before us. Approximately 2,000 stray cattle have already been relocated to various gaushalas in and around the city and the civic body is undertaking their daily expenses. Planning is on to construct three more sheds in the coming future,” an official said.

Vipul Malhotra from the Veterinary branch of the MC said the project for dog sterilisation was on and every dog that was sterilised was also given an anti-rabies vaccine. “The MC is putting in every effort to curb dog bite incidents in the city,” he said.

MLA Ashok Prashar from the Ludhiana Central constituency said he had already proposed to set up dog shelters and more gaushals were on the cards to solve the issue.

Cause of fatal mishaps

Stray cows, bulls and dogs can be seen roaming around on main roads, which often leads to fatal accidents.

Shortage of space main reason: Officials

Senior officials from the MC cite the shortage of space for sheltering cows as the main reason behind why they find themselves helpless in solving the issue. The law also prohibits capturing and translocating of stray dogs, except for animal birth control.