Taps, troughs demolished at Burlton Park, activists cry foul

Despite the mercury touching 40 degrees Celsius, taps and troughs set up by do-gooders to feed and satiate the thirst of stray animals at Burlton Park have been removed by the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation.

Given the steady population of hundreds of stray dogs in the vicinity of Burlton Park, do- gooder Raju had got several taps and troughs installed from his own pocket. In December 2024, troughs were filled with mud and several taps were removed by the MC employees, thus making life difficult of strays.

Raju said, “I have been feeding stray dogs and cattle all my life. I had installed taps and troughs for the strays. After removing taps, the MC has failed to make alternative arrangements. Animals are being forced to languish in heat. Lack of water may even claim the lives of injured cattle. Even people from slums were using these taps to procure water. Our hard earned money has gone down the drain.”

Another do-gooder Deepak Jyoti said, “Since December 2024, we have been calling MC officials for restoration of taps. I talked to the MC employees and even the Mayor. Our pleas have fallen on deaf years. A bush under which animals sought shelter was also burned recently.”

Ward No. 61 Councillor Madhu Sharma said, “Burlton Park is not an ideal space to offer water and food to animals. The problem of strays is in our notice. As far as issue of thirsty animals is concerned, I will surely raise the matter in the next House meeting. Those who abandon stray cattle on the road should be challaned.”