Animal lovers swear they will end stray dog brutality in Karnataka

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Mar 19 (UNI) Animal lovers of the capital are up in arms against the Bangalore Municipal Authorities as well as the Karnataka government at the inhuman manner in which stray dogs were being massacred in large numbers in the IT city and some others and affirm that they will knock all doors to put an end to ''this barbaric practice''.

Incidents of killing of stray dogs have also been reported from Mysore and Mandya in Karnataka.

The protests are being led by 'Journalists Forum for Animals' and has some well-known personalities who are orchestrating the campaign. These include Mr Hiranmay Karlekar, an eminent journalist, Ms Shipra Biswas, Deputy Principal Information Officer in the Press Information Bureau(PIB) and Mike Pandey, a well known photographer and filmmaker.

Mr Karlekar, a key figure in the movement, said the Group will meet President A P J Kalam in this regard as also some other influential people impressing upon them the need to put a halt to the incidents relating to "merciless butchering" of dogs. Some foreigners who reside in the country are also a part of the campaign.

The Organisers put the figure of the dogs killed in the recent past between 2,500 and 5,000.

As part of the campaign, a candle-light protest rally was organsied on Friday evening demanding immediate action by the Karnataka government against the massacre of dogs. People from different walks of life as also different age groups formed part of the rally.

"We have gathered to condemn in the strongest possible terms this outburst of municipal and government brutality on animals in Bangalore. We cannot call back to life the innocent dogs that have been dispatched. But we resolve not to allow their deaths go in vain and ensure that such things do not happen in future," a statement issued on the occasion by the Forum said.

"We seek forgiveness from the spirits of those killed for the acute sufferings, anguish and pain that some human beings have inflicted on them. We have lit the candles in their memory to dispel the darkeness of hatred and ignorance that engulfed those who killed them", Ms Biswas said.

Shipra Biswas, who for several years has been looking after government publicity of the Ministry of Commmerce, is well known to journalists as an animal lover and one who has dedicated her life for the welfare of stray dogs. Even at odd hours, this solitary figure is seen going around the city feeding stray dogs in different vicinites and markets.

The other civil society groups which were part of the rally included 'Paws', 'Circle of Animal Lovers', and 'Friendcos'. The organsiers said the Group has the support of the 'Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.' The placards read: 'Animals have no voice,' 'Stop brutality', 'We are for animals' and 'Stop slaughtering of dogs.' Rallies like the one in Delhi are being held in other cities too, including Mumbai.

What apparently sparked off the killing of the stray dogs was the death of two children, but opinions differ as to whether the incident was a result of the dogs or a mere coincidence.

The rallies also mourn the death of these children.

"Any life that is lost, whether it is children or the dogs is unfortunate and shameful. People should pray for universal peace,'' says Ms Sumita Mehta, another key person in the campaign.

"All people must come together to find a viable solution to the problems at hand. Everything can be sorted out through discussion, action and public participation. We all want a stray free world and there are peaceful and innovative ways in which this can be achieved,'' says Sumita.

Dog lovers--Ms Debbie Smith, Ms Mandie Smith and Ms Veena Singh-- were aghast at the course of events and expressed dismay that their voice was not being heard. They also vowed to keep up the fight until the scales of justice tilted in favour of the victims.

"We need the help of all in stopping the slaughtering of dogs for whatever reason you want to believe in, be it spirituality or just plain injustice," Ms Veena Singh said.

Another manner in which the protests are being registered are by sending e-mails for restoring sanity.

The three champions of the dog movement went to great length to explain how stray dogs are not dangerous, unless they are gravely provocated.

"Dogs can be more loyal than human beings,'' Ms Smith said and added that love for the canine transcends all sections of society, even though only the privileged and well-off can afford to keep pets.

"Even stray dogs are gentle and affectionate", she maintained.

Ms Smith said her love for animals ran deep down and for this reason, she was a vegetarian. One should put one's money where one's heart is! The organisers gave a grahic account of the gruesome manner in which the dogs, many of whom were neutered and vaccinated against rabies, were being killed.

"They have been caught through excruciating painful methods, jammed into cages where they experience difficulty in breathing, packed one on top of the other in shelter kennels and left without food or water in cages. Many of those that survive the ordeal were killed most brutally. Particularly sadistic were the murders in Mandya where they were injected with poison, including administering of cyanide, or had their heads smashed,'' Ms Biswas said.

An organiser said in some cases dogs were tied to a rope and dragged behind cars.

Mr Karlekar said the fight for dogs needs to be perceived in the wider context of atrocities on all vulnerable sections of society.

He said while he has been a dog lover all his life, he has also stood through his writings and otherwise for the welfare of the downtrodden.

Mr Karlekar said the reason why Delhi has been selected as the focal point of activities against the killings of stray dogs was because it was the 'centre of national consciousness,' the fulcrum from where democracy functions and the seat of political and economic power.

It was for this reason as well as the eternal truth that dogs too have life and feel the pain in the same manner in which humans do that the organisers feel that they have a chance to win.

UNI

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