Animal Ambulances Without Stretchers: A Rescue System Gap
Desk,Odishabarta
BRAHAMPUR; 01/10 : With an emphasis on the protection, rescue and treatment of animals, the State Government and the Department of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development have introduced animal rescue vehicles and ambulance services. The service has made it easier to rescue accident victims, injured and sick animals and transport them to veterinary treatment centres.
However, a small gap in the rescue system has now emerged as a serious problem. Despite the availability of ambulances and rescue vehicles, the absence of stretchers to safely carry injured animals from inaccessible locations to the vehicles is creating difficulties.
In many cases, accident-hit or seriously ill animals are found lying in ditches, fields, bushes or other locations that are inaccessible to vehicles. Ambulances or rescue vehicles cannot reach such spots directly. As a result, three to four personnel deployed in the ambulance often have to make considerable physical effort to pull or drag the injured animal to the vehicle. There are several instances of such situations being reported.
The problem is particularly serious in the case of animals with fractured limbs, spinal injuries or severe wounds. Dragging such animals can increase their pain and may cause further damage to the injured areas.
The primary objective of the rescue system is to minimise the suffering of animals and ensure prompt medical treatment. However, animal lovers allege that this objective is being undermined due to the lack of stretchers.
Animal lovers have suggested that appropriately sized stretchers should be kept in every animal ambulance and rescue vehicle to address the problem. In places that are inaccessible to ambulances, personnel could carry the stretcher to the spot and safely transport the injured animal to the vehicle.
his would help reduce unnecessary pain and make animal rescue operations safer, easier and more humane, said animal lover Lalatendu Choudhury.
Mr. Choudhury has urged the State Government and the Department of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, through the District Veterinary Officer, to ensure that every animal ambulance and rescue vehicle is equipped with stretchers and other essential rescue equipment.
Such measures would make the animal rescue system more efficient, safe and humane, he said.
