Checking mishaps: Stray dogs get reflective collars

Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, October 15

Inspired by an Indore-based NGO, animal lovers in the city have started putting reflective collars around the necks of stray dogs to prevent them from being hit by vehicles after dusk. 

In a three-hour drive, volunteers of the Panchkula Animal Welfare Association today fitted 50 such collars on stray dogs at Nada Sahib area on NH-73, Panchkula, Paras Downtown area and Peermuchhala area in Zirakpur, all accident-prone zones.

These collars feature a reflective strip, which is highly visible in dim and dark conditions and will help in checking accidents involving street dogs.

Meenakshi Mahapatra (30), one of the volunteers, said, “Local feeders helped us in fitting these collars, which are made of nylon strip with reflective cloth and heavy-duty plastic buckles. These collars are bright and light-weight.”

She said they had collected data and newspaper clippings about accidents spots and zeroed in on three spots for their drive. One of the major reasons for accidents at these areas was that animals were not visible at night, she added.

The animal lover said they had tied up with the Indore-based NGO, which sent them reflective collars that they tied to stray dogs today.

Meenu Sodhi, another volunteer, said they had put their contact numbers on the reflective collars so that people could get to them in case of any emergency. Another such drive would be held after Diwali, she added.

Nidhi Rana said their association had around 40-50 people of different age groups as members. Recently, they had organised ‘Adoptathon’ in which 15 Indian dogs were adopted by residents.