Amid slim pickings & starvation, Odisha gives a ray of hope to strays hit by lockdown

Stray animals across country have been hit hard by lockdown. With feeders being stuck in areas y live in and restaurants closed, stray animals are struggling to find food. Standing-up to situation, Odisha government is making sure stray animals across state are well-fed during lockdown period,

As nationwide lockdown phase extends to May 3 to contain spread of Coronavirus, Odisha government on Thursday approved release of additional funds of Rs 80.18 lakh to urban local bodies for feeding stray dogs and or animals. additional funds will be provided from Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) to five municipal corporations, 48 municipalities and 61 NACs (tified area councils) across state for 19 days.

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A tification issued by housing and urban development department stated that Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has been allocated Rs 3.80 lakh for 19 days, four or municipal corporations in Berhampur, Cuttack, Rourkela and Sambalpur have received Rs 7.60 lakh. 48 municipalities in state have been provided Rs 45.60 lakh and 61 NACs were allocated Rs 23.18 lakh, tification added.

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Odisha govt had earlier sanctioned Rs 54 lakh 

During first phase of nationwide lockdown till April 14 state government had sanctioned Rs 54 lakh for purpose of feeding stray animals, it said. stray animals depend on locals for food and leftovers from eating joints for ir requirements are finding it difficult to find food during lockdown.  urban local bodies have also been asked to take help of service of NGOs and animal welfare organisations in ir areas to feed stray animals.

Impact of lockdown on stray dogs and or animals

Center & state Govt takes measures to save street animals

When lockdown was imposed, a letter from Union ministry of animal husbandry sent out to all states requests that veterinary hospitals and dispensaries, including private clinics and animal shelters be allowed to function and veterinary services be considered in list of 'Essential Services'. A similar letter has been issued by Animal Welfare Board of India.

In state of Maharashtra Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray too said pet food shops be allowed to function. Lok Sabha member Maneka Gandhi also wrote a letter addressing those in authority to allow people involved in feeding stray dogs and or animals.

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 Behavioural Changes In Stray Dogs, says experts

21-day lockdown has led to subtle behavioural changes in stray dogs and has plunged m into a state of confusion, animal behaviourists in Delhi say. Akansha Yadav founder of Pawtricks, a canine training and consulting firm  said re was t a behavioural change in all dogs, but it was possible in specific categories.

"Because people are t on streets anymore and re is scarcity of food, dogs may start competing with one ar for food," Yadav said.

animal behaviourist said it was a difficult time for dogs, which are used to human attention, especially those in markets where people pet m and give m food on go.

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