The brave resident of Ramprastha Colony Ghaziabad, Navpreet Kaur filed an FIR against the accused (daughter of Manisha Sharma) who allegedly through a one and a half month old puppy from second floor and killed it.
Who is guilty in this most heinous crime?
The daughter?
The mother?
Or the administration?
Are not all the three responsible for taking away the life of the voiceless who had all the right to live like we humans?
As per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act dogs cannot be killed, hurt or beaten. Any form of cruelty towards them is a punishable offence. Also relocation of stray dogs from their place of birth is a punishable offence.
To curb the growing population of stray dogs the RWAs and residents of most of the colonies be it Delhi or NCR (Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurgaon or Faridabad) are either indulging in relocation of dogs by removing them from their colony and dumping them elsewhere or by killing them.
Both are prohibited and are punishable offences but who cares.
But there are bravehearts like Navpreet Kaur and residents of Ramprastha colony who care and become the mouthpiece for these voiceless souls and fight for their rights.
Recently the East Delhi Municipal Corporation came out with the most obnoxious rabies awareness posters. Rabies is deadly disease but one which can be easily prevented. The poster by giving incomplete information only created more fear and hatred in the minds of the people towards dogs. Neither it helped the people nor the dogs. Did nothing at all to make Delhi canine rabies free. Rather it infused more violence towards dogs.
The Ghaziabad municipal corporation went a step ahead by coming out with a proposal to charge Rs.5000 as registeration fee for pet dogs and fine of RS.500 for stray dog litter. This would have discouraged pet ownership and increased dog abadonment and stray dog starvation and ultimately death of dogs. What a way to counter dog overpopulation.
Are our municipal corporations taking right steps to curb dog overpopulation and canine rabies?
The incident at Ramprastha could have been easily avoided had the accused and her mother known that dog killing is a punishable offence. For them throwing the small puppy was just like throwing a football from their balcony.
It's quite evident that they had no love for dogs but then they had no fear of law either.
Isn't it the responsibility of every municipal corporation of this country to convey this very simple yet crucial information about the ABC programme ( Animal Birth Control) programme and dog rules to all the residents and RWAs so that no one in future indulges in such crimes.
Also the corporation should open more sterilization centres and bring direct collaboration between the colonies and the sterilization centres so that the caregivers and residents know exactly where to take the dogs of their colonies for sterilization and vaccination.
Whitu, the one and a half month old puppy would have been alive today and playing with his mother and the residents of Ramaprastha colony had the administratiin been a little more humane and sensible in their approach in tackling dog overpopulation and canine rabies.
Remember America and Europe are highly dog friendly countries. They consider dog as man's best friend but unfortunately in India they are being treated as enemies.
Who is responsible for this negative mind set?