Feeding of stray animals allowed amid lockdown
NEW DELHI: Situation under control though deeply tensed as more than 900 cases of Coronavirus have been reported inthe country despite the 21-day lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop the cycle of this conta- gion virus. As the lockdown is being followed by the citizenry some- how, stray animals in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and other districts are facing great sufferings due to lack of food. With the lockdown of restaurants, hotels, temples and roadside kiosks, even no social functions taking place, these stray animals are left to the mercy of the nature with- out drinking water and food.
Numerous citizens across Delhi and adjoining NCR (national capital region) dis- tricts have been feeding these stray animals, and of late, dueto the national lockdown are facing the food scarcity. Harpal Singh, a former executive of a leading multinational company and a regular at feeding stray pigeons near the Feroz Shah Kotla ground in central Delhi, says, "The Delhi gov- ernment was the first to take the initiative against the fight of Coronavirus and ordered its citizens to stay indoors to stop the spread of the contagion dis- ease. And, one of the effects of this order resulted in problems of feeding to stray cows, buffa- loes, dogs and pigeons; I too, also did not go out to feed due to the prohibitory orders. How- ever, a parliamentarian and few NGOs have taken up the matter with the government agencies."
Mehda, a resident of Defence Colony and pursuing her industrial design course from a college in Bengalaru,proffers, "Being an animal lover, I am trying and aking care of stray dogs even in the lockdown by placing water bowl and feed outside myhome in Delhi. At social media, amongst my group, I am also preading the word that dogs and cats cannot spread infec-tion amidst the ongoing con- tagion disease. Also, the World Health Organisation has clari- fied the same. As esponsible citizens, it is our duty to take as much care of the stray ani- mals, as we do for our people at home." Those few, during lockdown, who manage to go out to buy daily essentials, have seen stray cats and dogs, barking,meowing and fighting more than natural, and this is due to lack of food.
Furthermore, various agencies, likes of: Animal Welfar Board of India, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and few of the other NGOs have either ritten to heads of state governments and central government, highlight- ng for those animals: fishes or birds, kept in closed areas or pet shops either for reedingpurposes or sale, and cannot be given feed due to the lockdown, in such cases special permission be granted either to shift these stock or be given food on daily basis during the ongoing ockdown. After the intervention of the animal's lovers, NGOs and other agencies, the Delhi government and governments of adjoining states have grantedpermission to feed the stray animals amid lockdown. Also, the fodder for cows, buffaloes, horses and other nimals have been brought under essential services. Col Vijay Gupta (retired), avers, "Respecting the lock- down and following the direc- tives of the overnment, after seeking permission from com-petent authorities, animal lov- ers shall feed the hungry stray canines, simians and bovine population, same will lso help in reducing hostility as well remain less ferocious due to hunger. Caring and feeding of these four-legged stray ani-mals under the present circumstances is our responsibility."
Dr Rajeev Aggarwal, advises caution for those who are feeding pets or ani- mals, "Please remember that all animals, generally carry some types of germs and o avoid infections, one has to follow the healthy habits. It is very important to follow the laid down method of washing hands and sanitizing oneself after andling nimals, be it a one's home or feeding the stray animal under the ongoing crisis of COVOD-19.
