India TV Fact Check: Stray animals are present everywhere. They can be seen crossing roads or sitting in the middle of a highway. Although the government has set up shelters for them, however, people leave their animals abandoned on the roads instead of taking them to a secure place. This problem is becoming acute in Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, a photo is doing rounds on social media featuring a signboard by UP Police. The viral picture claimed that the police had recently installed this board amid a rise in road accidents due to stray animals. When we fact-checked it, the claim being made with the photo turned out to be false.
Viral photo
Actually, a user named Satya Sharma shared this photo on Facebook on September 19, 2023. The caption accompanying this photo reads, "It is a very good decision and a very commendable work by the respected Superintendent of Police of Uttar Pradesh Banda and the entire respected police administration. Every day, the voiceless animals on the road lose their lives due to the high speed of the vehicle. Very tragic accidents happen and we all should drive carefully. We should take care of everything. Being a common citizen it is our responsibility too. Please be kind and respectful to all the voiceless people." With this picture posted 4 days ago, it is being claimed that the UP Police has recently installed this board in Banda.
India TV investigated
When we found this photo, we searched it with the help of Google Lens. During this, in the search results, we found an old social media post of Banda Police. These photos were shared by the Banda Police on Twitter on August 22, 2019. In these two photos that were shared by the police earlier, cops are seen installing these boards with the help of a few people in different areas of the city. The board read, "There may be animals sitting on the road ahead. Please move slowly. Superintendent of Police Banda."
Banda Police itself denied
When we further investigated this matter, we came to know that Banda Police itself has denied this viral post. The caption of a post shared by the police read, "Please do not spread misleading information, otherwise necessary legal action will be taken."
Along with the post, police attached a picture that read, "A photo/banner is going viral on social media which shows police putting up a banner on the road divider warning stray animals on the road. At present no such banner has been put up by the police. Banda Police completely refutes it. Please do not spread misleading information otherwise necessary legal action will be taken."
