This Durga Puja, NGOs working with dogs to spread awareness

Kolkata: NGOs working with stray dogs are using the Durga Puja platform to create awareness among public on prevention of cruelty against animals.

In several puja pandals, posters will be put up urging people to stop cruelty on stray dogs. The NGOs have distributed the posters requesting people, particularly the community puja organisers not to beat up stray dogs who come near the pandals. "As the pandals are erected on the ground or roads where the stray dogs live, many puja organisers have a tendency to beat them up and even sprinkle hot water to keep them away."

Susmita Roy, a spokesman for Love and Care for Animals said a short film will be shown at a housing complex off EM Bypass to make people aware of the laws on the prevention of cruelty against animals. Short films will be shown during the four days of Durga Puja on the relationship between people and animals both pets and stray. Posters will be put up as a part of the awareness drive. "Because of sustained campaigns, many people are becoming friendly with stray dogs who feed them regularly and vaccinate them. They take initiatives to sterilise them as well." The NGO is regularly taking classes on awareness to stop cruelty on animals in state-run schools and colleges. The duration of the classes is of two hours where slide shows are shown along with quiz completions and interactive sessions.