Stray animals bear the brunt of lockdown

SARS laments govt neglect

SHILLONG: While the state government has been quick to sign an MoU with Dhyan Foundation, a Delhi-based animal welfare group, to take care of the seized cattle till the owners claim them, the same, however, does not seem to be keen in opening up of a shelter home for the stray dogs who have been subjected to agony since the lockdown began in March.
It has been years since a couple of organisations have been requesting the government to set up a shelter home for the stray animals, with the latter rendering nothing but only assurances.
What is more concerning is the fact that the cases of distemper and parvovirus are very high among the dogs in Shillong, with as many as 15 dogs dying since January this year.
A member of the Stray Animals Rescue Society (SARS), while speaking to The Shillong Times, admitted that stray dogs have suffered a lot during the lockdown as there was no food available for them since shops were closed.
The members of the Society have been feeding the stray dogs amid the lockdown and now as shops have started opening, their members feed dogs only when shops are closed.
It is learnt that Society has given feeder card to its volunteers who are feeding stray dogs in different parts of the city.
Some members also said that the matter pertaining to the shelter home for stray dogs was taken up with the Chairman of the State Planning Board Lambor Malngiang and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong but nothing has been done from the government’s end till now.
The SARS- Shillong is also keen to come up with its own but rented shelter home for dogs in Laitkor but the process was delayed due to the lockdown.
It may be mentioned that some people have also been donating to the SARS- Shillong to render aid to the stray animals.