In pursuance of the High Court orders regarding abandoned cattle roaming stray, the resulting risk of traffic accidents they cause and the potential for violation of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, the Dehradun municipal commissioner has ordered the official concerned to issue a strict and final warning to the dairy owners to desist from abandoning calves and bulls on the road. On the other hand, the municipal corporation is facing a severe lack of resources due to which it is not in a position to tackle the problem as required.
Speaking of the matter, a senior veterinary officer V Sati said, “After the direction was issued by the municipal commissioner, a five-member team has been formed by us. The members of the team will check and impose penalties on those found abandoning their cattle. The team will also shift such abandoned cattle to our stray cattle shelter. We have fixed an amount of fine which is Rs 500 against the cattle owners found abandoning their cattle. The shelter home for stray cattle in the city currently has about 150 stray cattle.”
When asked about how the MCD is planning to effectively tackle the issue, Sati said that presently the corporation is reeling under lack of resources which prevent it from properly managing the stray cattle issue. “The shelter for stray cattle is small and lacks the capacity to hold the actual number of stray cattle in the city. We have sent a proposal to the state government, demanding budget to build more shelter houses for the stray cattle in the city but nothing has been done so far.”