Khuruthang Municipal Office in Punakha is grappling with the recurring problem of stray animals. The temporary enclosure site, where stray animals are kept, lacks security and surveillance infrastructure. This has made it possible for unidentified individuals to repeatedly break the locks of the enclosure and let the animals loose into prohibited areas.
Thromde officials usually round up stray animals from the dzong and town areas in the evening.
They detain the animals in the temporary enclosure area in a sewerage treatment plant near Khuruthang Kuenphen Bridge. The officials then lock the gate.
The area is cordoned by chain-link fencing. However, it does not have a security or surveillance system. So, at night some unknown people break the lock and release the animals.
Khuruthang Municipal Engineer, Kencho Dorji said, “on the evening of the 21st September, we detained 21 cattle and 13 horses in our temporary enclosure, but all the animals were found released the same night. We could not identify the culprit due to lack of CCTV cameras and adequate power supply in the area.”
The problem is exacerbated when animals fight in the enclosure, injuring themselves, which requires treatment. The office says these additional burdens impede the efficient delivery of other municipal services.
“Budget constraints prevent us from providing a separate caretaker, proper enclosure, and food for the animals. We cannot do much due to lack of funds,” added Kencho Dorji.
The municipal office informs the local leaders through social media whenever they detain stray animals. Officials say some individuals threaten them over phone calls but never visit the site to claim their animals.
As per the Dzongkhag Tshogdu resolution, an owner who claims their animal will be fined one thousand ngultrum per day. If no owners come forward, the animals will be given to interested individuals who can take care of the animals.
So far, around three DCM loads of stray animals have been sent to forests without collecting fines.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Sangay Chezom
