Animal welfare groups launch programme to help stray dogs

The programme was launched on January 14 and camps to look after cattle and horses were held. Vets examined the health of cattle and horses at Maheshtala in South 24 Parganas and Maidan. A massive programme was arranged where nearly 750 street dogs had been sterilized.

The camps were held in Metiabruz and in south and north Kolkata.

A colourful rally was taken out by the students of Kolkata Blind School in Behala. The students carrying colourful placards urged people to stop cruelty against stray dogs.

Street plays and one-act plays were held to create awareness to stop cruelty against animals.

Susmita Roy, head of Love and care for Animals said over the years because of sustained campaign, cruelty against stray dogs has gone down. But there are areas where people are found inflicting torture on stray dogs like they often sprinkle hot water on them or mix poison in their food to kill them. But side by side, many youngsters have developed love for stray dogs.

They are feeding the dogs and are giving them vaccinations. Both school goers and college students are involved in this.

Senior ARD officials regretted that many people are deserting their pets and they have been rescued and later sent to some houses. Large breed dogs like Great Dane and St. Bernard have been deserted. GSD, Labrador, Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel were rescued from various areas of south and north Kolkata.