Telangana Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Director Dr V Lakshma Reddy on Wednesday clarified that there was no reason for pet owners to panic as there was no evidence of pet animals causing coronavirus infections or that they could get the virus from human beings.
Dr Reddy said that there were about 2 lakhs pets in the GHMC area, and that some of the pet owners out of fear of getting the coronavirus from their pets were letting their pets out onto the streets. He advised the pet owners not to let go of their pets.
"Dogs and cats do not appear to contract the coronavirus. Veterinary scientists also say that dogs and cats do not cause any respiratory problems to their owners. Dogs and cats are therefore not a risk in spreading the coronavirus," he said.
He said that to be safe pet owners needed to just wash their hands after being around their animals, and avoid direct contact.