Maha: Owners urged not to abandon pets over COVID-19 fear

Palghar: The Palghar district administration in Maharashtra has urged people not to abandon their pet animals over fear of contracting the COVID-19 infection.

Despite the government’s appeal, several people have abandoned their pets in open in Palghar. As a result, the pets have got mixed with the stray animals and several of them have been starving, District Deputy Commissioner of Animal Husbandry Dr Prashant Kamble said.

He dismissed as baseless the belief of some people that domesticated animals spread the COVID-19 infection.

“It is not spread through them. These animals left on roads have no food, water and shelter and they are starving to death,” he said.

Kamble urged social organisations and animal activists to provide food and water to these animals.