PROTEST AGAINST RWA FOR ABUSE OF STRAY DOGS

Animal lovers are up in arms against the resident welfare association of a gated community for its alleged mistreatment and abuse of stray dogs at Ameenpur and lodged a complaint with the police on Friday. According to the complaint lodged by the representative of ‘People for Animals’ P. Shiva Narayan, they received a call from an animal lover who informed that a team of five to seven dog catchers visited Shankar Green Homes at Ameenpur and caught over 20 dogs in the most cruel and horrific manner and took them away in a van to leave them beyond the Outer Ring Road (ORR).

He alleged that the president of the association Dasarath had hired a team of dog catchers, who trapped dogs which were relocated or killed. Shiva further stated that they had photographic and video evidence apart from eyewitnesses. Speaking to this newspaper, Manjira, director of ‘People for Animals’, said, “It is very inhuman treatment by the resident welfare association. We have been receiving at least one case everyday regarding mistreatment of animals. The community should learn peaceful coexistence with the other living beings rather than showing brutality against them.”

She added under Stray Dog Management Rules 2001, It is illegal for an individual, resident welfare association or estate management to remove or relocate dogs.

The dogs have to be sterilised and vaccinated and returned to the same area. Vaccinated and sterilised dogs cannot be removed by the municipality either. Another animal activist Pradeep who lives in the neighbourhood said, “Ameenpur municipality should start animal birth control (ABC) to avoid this kind of inhuman treatment to stray dogs.”