Dogs dying after sterilization is nothing new in India. Right from being picked up by the municipal corporation in the most ruthless and cruel manner to killing them in the name of ABC. And is there any penalty or punishment for such acts of cruelty? The answer is no.
Recently in Mumbai 49 dogs were picked up by the municipal corporation. After being released 9 dogs died. Now who is responsible for their death? What went wrong?
Is it the faulty operation? Or was it the lack of post operative care? Or was it lack of hygiene at the centre? Whatever is the reason the outcome is right in front of us. What a terrible reason for the death of those 9 innocent souls.
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The caregiver Hema Choudhary is very upset and feels guilty for having sent the dogs for sterilization. There are few more dogs who were taken two weeks back by the IDA centre but still no clue of them. And one who was released has fallen sick.
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This is nothing new in India. Dogs are picked up by the municipal corporation workers like they are picking a piece of filth from the streets. After operation many times dogs are dropped at wrong location and one can imagine what these poor souls go through. They are attacked by their own fellow beings. Hungry and thirsty and many times with wounds which they have sustained from dog bites they very soon succumb to death. Needless to say many of them don't have caregivers like Hema Chowdhary to look after them so they die of infection and open stitches. The dogs which have been operated from IDA centre in Mumbai have died because of their negligence.
Caregivers are the most abused and helpless souls in India. They not only face opposition from their neighbours for feeding the dogs and taking care of them but often have to fight against this most apathetic and corrupt system. They even pay bribe to the people who come to pick up the dogs for sterilization so that their furry friends are taken care of. Hema herself has done that many times. And the caregiver does not stay in peace till his furry friend is back in his arms. And once the dog is dropped the caregiver ensures that he is eating food and is well. If the dog does not eat then it's an alarm that he is unwell. He has been infected. Again there are many kinds of infection. Right from faulty operation to catching distemper. Most of the ABC centres are in the most pitiable condition. Dirty, filthy and stinking. And again it is the caregiver who does his level best to save the dog. He puts his money, physical energy, prayers and everything possible which can bring their furry friend back to health. Sometimes it does not happen because not all caregivers have money and time to take their friend to a vet......their prayers go unanswered.
It doesn't take two weeks for stitches to dry so if the dog is still at the IDA centre then the reason is something else.
Unfortunately not all dogs are lucky to have caregivers like Hema. So many die after returning from the ABC centre.
Just few days back there was a huge rukus over a conversation between the People for Animals founder Maneka Gandhi and a vet in Lucknow. All the veterinarians of India were up in arms against the lady. They even observed a black day. And a political leader of her own party Ajay Vishnoi said that he was ashamed of her.
Well where are all those veterinarians now and is there any political leader who has the heart to criticize the death of these nine innocent souls? To punish those who are responsible for their death? To raise voice against the injustices being done to these helpless souls and their caregivers which happen in India almost daily?
Not all vets are bad and not all are good. So the ones who are guilty should be punished. There should be an animal ombudsman where such cases may be reported and action be taken against veteinarians and such killer ABC centres.
But for now the IDA centre in Mumbai should be shut down. Or atleast be monitored and changes be brought in its working.
ABC units should only be operated by NGOs because these are the people who run centres for the love for animals. In Delhi there are a few centres which are good and where the dogs are safe. Friendicoes, Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre, Neighbourhood woofs, PAWS and Krishna Ashram are few of them where the death rate post sterilization are almost zero. The centres are clean and the vets and the centre workers are very cordial and helpful. The caregivers are also encouraged to bring their furry friends directly to the centre. And they are free to visit them anytime. They are given updates as and when they enquire about their dogs. The ABC centes run by the municipal corporations should learn a few lessons from them.
The municipal corporations have unfortunately failed both the caregivers and thier furry friends. And somewhere it is the Govt of India which has failed in its duty towards its streeties.
If the govt machinery and our political leaders are so careless and apathetic towards the Indian dogs then what can we expect from the common man of India?
If this is the condition of ABC centre in Mumbai then one can well imagine what it must be like in other states of India??????
God save the dogs of our country