Rising Threat of Stray Animals Despite Official Orders.
Protection on Paper, Stray Animals on Roads; Human Lives at Risk-
Shahjahanpur: The problem of stray animals has been a persistent cause of concern for people in the district for a long time. Stray animals can be seen roaming in groups on roads, in markets and in village lanes. At times, they disrupt traffic, while on other occasions they suddenly become aggressive, posing a serious threat to people. The situation has reached a point where pedestrians and vehicle drivers remain at risk of accidents because of these animals.
From time to time, district-level authorities issue directions to provide shelter to stray animals and remove them from roads. Claims of action by the concerned departments also emerge, but the ground reality appears to be different. A large number of animals can still be seen wandering freely and entering roads and populated areas in search of food.
Hunger and Unrestricted Movement Worsening the Problem-
Animals wandering in search of food often sit in the middle of roads. At times, the sound of a vehicle horn or sudden movement can agitate them, creating a dangerous situation for pedestrians. This situation has become a matter of concern not only in rural areas but also in urban parts of the district.
Two-wheeler riders face the greatest difficulty. When animals suddenly appear in front of vehicles, there is a risk of losing control and getting involved in an accident. Groups of stray animals roaming freely also create problems for pedestrians, children and elderly people.
Ground Reality Between Orders and Claims-
Administrative authorities regularly issue directions regarding stray animals. There are instructions to catch the animals and shift them to cow shelters, ensure proper arrangements for food and water, and prevent them from roaming on roads. However, if large numbers of animals are still found wandering freely, questions arise over the effectiveness of these arrangements.
Local residents say that a permanent solution to the problem will remain difficult unless stray animals are provided with safe shelter, regular fodder and water, along with proper care. People are demanding that the concerned departments should not limit their efforts to campaigns and paperwork, but should regularly conduct drives to remove animals roaming on roads and shift them to shelter facilities.
Safety of Both Humans and Animals is Essential-
The problem of stray animals is not only related to the safety of human lives; the condition of these animals is also a matter of concern. Hungry and abandoned animals are forced to eat plastic and garbage and may also suffer injuries in road accidents. An effective system can therefore provide relief to the public while also ensuring a safer environment for the animals.
The need of the hour is to ensure that the directions issued regarding stray animals are actually implemented on the ground. Until a permanent and effective arrangement is put in place for animals roaming on roads, the safety of both human beings and the animals themselves will continue to remain a matter of concern.
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