JALANDHAR
The local civic Authorities have successfully completed the sterilization of stray dogs in Wards 10 and 11 under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme over the past few months. Chairing a meeting of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) at the District Administrative Complex, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of both animals and citizens. Dr. Aggarwal informed that a total of 1,017 stray dogs has been sterilized in the two wards. The sterilization drive has now been launched in Wards 8 and 9, and the Administration aims to extend the programme to every ward in the city to effectively manage the stray dog population. Alongside this, the Deputy Commissioner reviewed ongoing efforts to shift stray cattle from city roads to Gaushalas. He highlighted that over 70 stray cattle have been relocated in the past two months, protecting both commuters and the animals, especially with the fog season approaching. He instructed Municipal authorities to expedite pending works at Kartarpur Gaushala and fast-track the expansion of the Kanian Kalan Gaushala to accommodate more animals. Dr. Aggarwal also directed PSPCL, oil companies, and the Excise Department to ensure timely deposition of cow cess to local authorities for the proper upkeep of Gaushalas. Urging dairy farmers to become life members of the SPCA, he appealed to them to hand over stray cattle to Administration-run Gaushalas instead of abandoning them on roads. He further stated that complaints received on the District Administration’s WhatsApp Action Helpline 96462–22555 regarding stray animal issues are being resolved promptly, encouraging the public to use the helpline for timely assistance.