SPCA comes to the aid of unfortunate animals

Mumbai, July 19 (UNI) It may be fun watching children enjoying joy rides on camel backs at Mumbai's beaches, but the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty towards Animals (SPCA) is not happy.

Such camels die a painful death within six to eight months as camels cannot live in a saline atmosphere, according to SPCA secretary Dr J C Khanna.

Dr Khanna told UNI that since 1995, the organisation has been striving for a ban on bringing camels to Mumbai for such purposes.

Dr Khanna, who is also a member of the Animal Welfare Board of India, cites several incidents that are fit cases for action under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Thus, an overloaded bullock-cart, faulty shoeing of horses and oxen, or making an animal work which has a sore or a tumor, are all offences under the Act.

But the SPCA has come across worse forms of torture -- dogs having fire crackers tied to their tails which were then set alight, buffaloes with festering sores hitched to the yoke, a bear made to dance by pulling hard at the metal ring through its nose such that the cartilege is often ripped, and underfed horses being made to carry tourists and whipped for slowing down.

The SPCA takes such unhappy animals under its fold and provides medical treatment. The SPCA has comprehensive facilities, including well-equipped operation theatres, cardiac center, X-ray department, Intensive Care Unit, blood bank, isolation award for contagious diseases, hospital kitchen serving fresh food, well-equipped medical store with medical equipments, continuous care by trained attendants, sterilization wards for dogs and cats, an ambulance service, and even a crematorium for a dignified farewell, says Dr Khanna.

Ever on its feet to rush to the help of unfortnate animals, the SPCA had despatched a rescue team to Latur during the 1993 earthquake. Many animals were saved and treated, Dr Khanna recalls.

Eminent personalities have headed the SPCA and its past presidents include JRD Tata, Ratan Tata, and Sir Dinshaw, among others.

UNI