Goa: Animal lovers seek govt aid to feed strays amid lockdown

Panaji, Apr 15 () Animal lovers in Goa, who havebeen taking care of stray dogs amid the COVID-19 lockdown,have now sought the state government's help, as the extensionof curfew till May 3 has put a strain on their limitedresources.

Volunteers from several NGOs have been feeding straydogs, ever since markets and restaurants were forced to remainshut during the nationwide lockdown, which is now in its 22ndday.

South Goa-based animal activist Amit Naik has writtento Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, urging him to allocate somefunds to NGOs working for the welfare of animals.

"The extended lockdown has put a strain on theresources of animal lovers, who have been feeding stray dogssince the lockdown was imposed," Naik said, adding thatstarvation and peak summer heat may lead to casualties amonganimals.

Another animal lover Fidoll Frida J Pereira claimedthat difficulties faced by individual citizens, who care forstrays, are not addressed by NGOs who hold meetings with theanimal husbandry department.

The state government must reserve a quota of foodgrains for animals too, she said, adding that municipalitiesand panchayats must place water containers at variouslocations for strays. RPSARU ARU