Animal Welfare Group Slams Municipal Council Rajouri Over Stray Dog Sterilisation Delay

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

LIAQAT ALI KHATANA

RAJOURI AUGUST 17:-The stray dog menace in Rajouri has escalated into a public safety and animal welfare crisis, with the Compassion Animal Welfare Organization (Compassion AWO) accusing the Municipal Council Rajouri (MCR) of “gross inaction” in enforcing the mandatory Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme.

Compassion AWO, known for its relentless advocacy in rescue, rehabilitation, and awareness drives, has repeatedly demanded a humane and structured response—sterilisation, vaccination, and community outreach—to control the growing stray population. Despite these efforts, officials have failed to initiate even the most basic measures required under the ABC Rules 2023 and High Court directives.

Key provisions remain unfulfilled: establishment of ABC monitoring committees, sterilisation camps, deployment of mobile units, and transparency through periodic progress reports. The absence of these steps, activists say, has allowed the stray population to multiply unchecked, heightening risks for residents while leaving animal rights defenders frustrated.

Rejecting outdated approaches such as removal or culling, Compassion AWO is pressing for urgent, coordinated action. Their recommendations include: Immediate formation of local monitoring committees. Sterilisation and vaccination camps adhering to prescribed safety norms. Mobile sterilisation clinics for wider coverage. Transparent reporting and public timelines. Community education on responsible feeding, adoption, and coexistence.

“Every day without an active ABC programme is a day of rising risk to both citizens and animals,” Compassion AWO declared, urging the Municipal Committee to end its inertia and partner with NGOs to ensure Rajouri becomes both safer and kinder. The message is unequivocal: accountability can no longer be postponed.