Three pedigree dogs rescued

THANE: The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, on Thursday, rescued three pedigree dogs from Padgha. They were being lodged in extremely unhygienic and unhealthy conditions. The operation was conducted in collaboration with the Padgha police.

According to PETA officials, the rescue operation was conducted after they received a tip off from a citizen about a facility called ‘Pet Friends’, where the dogs were allegedly being mistreated. Acting on the information, a PETA team, along with Padgha police station personnel, visited the facility.

“We found three dogs – a Dobermann, a Rottweiler and a

Boxer – that were so starved that they had been reduced to skin and bones. Further, they were also not provided with the necessary treatment for heavy tick infestations on their bodies and were suffering from severe anaemia,” Hiraj Laljani, media coordinator, PETA India, said.

He added that while the shelter was made to look like a pet boarding facility, the owner of the shelter confessed that the dogs were his own. He also submitted a consent letter to the police, allowing PETA to take custody of the three dogs and agreeing to never lodge any other animals in the facility.

Police inspector Dinesh Katke, Padgha police station, said, “We had provided manpower to assist the PETA team on their request. Since the owner of the facility submitted the letter, PETA decided not to pursue further legal action and no case was registered.”

PETA officials said that as pedigree dogs are bred for certain exaggerated physical traits, such as long ears or drooping backs, many foreign dog breeds including Boxers, German Shepherds and pugs suffer from abnormally high rates of genetic and hereditary diseases.

HT Boxer dog that was saved.