Over 1,000 stray cattle impounded

: Over 1,000 stray cattle have been impounded by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) in the past three months to prevent insanitary conditions during the monsoon.

From March till June, the SDMC’s Veterinary Department ramped up its cleanliness-linked drive by increasing the number of field visits and maintaining a vigil on stray animals and illegal slaughterhouses.

According to a statement issued on Friday, a total of 1,081 stray cattle were impounded during the three-month period, and fines amounting to Rs.11.88 lakh were recovered from illegal slaughterhouses. The department also sterilised 1,297 dogs.

Meanwhile, the SDMC’s South Zone has intensified its actions against unlicensed meat shops this week. A total of six illegal meat shops were challaned, and three were shut after notices were issued to the owners.

One of the shops was closed by the owners of their own volition. Fines collected for selling illegally slaughtered meat amounted to Rs.60,000.

A senior official said efforts would be ramped up in the coming week, in order to prevent insanitary conditions as vector-borne diseases are at their peak in the rainy season.

“Keeping in mind the prevalence of dengue, we are intensifying efforts to keep public areas clean,” said the official.