Will not allow menace of dog-fights: Amarinder

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday assured union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi of a detailed inquiry into the growing menace of dog fights, coupled with betting related to the same, in the state, an official said here.

The assurance was made during a meeting between Gandhi and Amarinder Singh in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The Minister expressed concern over reports that dogs were being pushed from across the border to promote dog fights and encourage illegal activities such as betting.A

"The Chief Minister promised a thorough probe in the matter and assured Maneka that his government would not allow such Punjab's soil to be used for such activities," a spokesperson for the Chief Minister said here.

During the meeting, the issue of stray dogs in Punjab was also discussed, with the Chief Minister seeking the Union Ministry's support in dealing with it.

Responding to his concern, Gandhi suggesting setting up of Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) units across the state to curb the menace. She also suggested dog sterilization under the Animal Birth Control programme to control the spread of stray dogs.

--IANS

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