CHENNAI: The animal lovers of Chennai are planning to put reflective collars around the necks of about 4,000 stray dogs. This is to reduce the number of stray dogs being hit by speeding vehicles at night.
Mr. G. Arun Prasanna founder of People For Cattle in India (PFCI) threw light on how it was started and how reflective collars were put around the necks of dogs in Chennai. Many strays and cattle tragically fall victim to road accidents in the dead of the night because of speeding vehicles and inadequate street lighting. Chennai-based NGO, PFCI decided to put reflective collars on stray dogs and cattle so that they don’t get run over in the dark.
Dimple.J, Member of PFCI is coordinating this initiative.She added that it is known that the number of animals on the roads in Chennai have become more now and there are more accidents also involving these animals. In Chennai, there are nearly 200 volunteers who came forward to feed the community animals in the lock down. Since all of them are familiar with the animals in their localities, the process of providing reflective collars for these animals would be easy.
PFCI had conducted a survey which they found that 90 per cent of vehicle owners couldn’t spot strays dogs or even cattle on the road.
These special collars, which are termed ‘Magic Collars’, are made of a reflective cloth and are attached via a nylon tape. The PFCI aim at making 5000 dogs wear these collars. This initiative to put reflective collars on Dogs by PFCI is partnered by pet food brand, Royal Canin.