Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 10: The Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD), Government of Jammu & Kashmir, in collaboration with the School Education Department, PETA India and SAVE NGO, has launched a three-day awareness and sensitisation programme for school students and teachers in Jammu to promote humane and scientific management of community dogs, animal welfare and public safety.
The programme, being held from September 10 to 12, 2026, is being organised in pursuance of the directions of the Supreme Court of India and the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, with the objective of creating greater awareness among students about rabies prevention, anti-rabies vaccination, precautions to be taken in case of dog bites, animal welfare laws, sterilisation and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme.
The initiative seeks to sensitise students about peaceful coexistence with community animals and encourage compassionate and informed interaction with stray dogs. The sessions also focus on awareness of animal cruelty laws and the importance of humane treatment of animals.
Meenakshi Narang, Manager - Elementary School, PETA India, is serving as a resource person for the programme and conducting interactive awareness sessions with students.
More than 2,000 students from 47 schools across Jammu are expected to participate in the three-day programme. Through interactive discussions and awareness sessions, students are being educated about safe interaction with community dogs, the importance of empathy towards animals and measures that can help reduce instances of dog bites.
Special emphasis is being laid on rabies prevention and timely medical intervention. Students are being informed about the precautions to be taken following a dog bite or scratch and the importance of immediately seeking medical attention and completing the recommended anti-rabies vaccination course.
The programme also highlights scientific Animal Birth Control and anti-rabies vaccination as key components of humane and effective community dog population management.
On the first day of the programme, awareness sessions were conducted at Heritage School and Government Higher Secondary School, Sarwal, Jammu, with enthusiastic participation from students and teachers. The interactive sessions provided students with an opportunity to learn about animal welfare, safe practices and the importance of adopting humane approaches towards community animals. |
