Stray dog management: Puducherry asks communities to adopt a balanced approach that ensures public safety

PUDUCHERRY

In the wake of the recent Supreme Court directive mandating the vaccination of all stray dogs and release to their original places, the Puducherry Department of Animal Husbandry has stressed the need for communities to adopt a balanced approach that ensures public safety while upholding animal welfare.

In an advisory, the Department said that while non-aggressive and non-rabid dogs should be released back to their original locations post-treatment, dogs suspected for rabies should be kept under observation in kennels maintained by the respective local bodies.

The municipal authorities should create specific zones for feeding stray dogs. Feeding outside these zones is strictly prohibited. Residents are also required to feed dogs only within these designated zones to comply with the new regulations.

A senior official of the Animal Husbandry Department said that while animal lovers can adopt sterilized and vaccinated dogs from shelters, it is essential to ensure that the adopted dogs do not return to the streets. There must be sufficient number of dog shelters/pounds with proper facilities, including sufficient staff for sterilisation, deworming and immunisation.

The Department has also directed the local bodies to create a dedicated helpline for reporting incidents of violations. Communities should also stay informed about the legal framework and cooperate with the local authorities to ensure the effective implementation.

While addressing public safety concerns, it’s crucial to treat stray dogs with compassion and dignity, recognizing their intrinsic value. The Union Territory of Puducherry Animal Welfare Board, Puducherry District Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will monitor the humane treatment meted out to the community dogs in the union territory, the official added.