Cruelty next level: 15 homeless puppies poisoned and wrapped in disposal bags

NPnews24Online KOLKATA:  An estimated 35 million stray dogs live in India and according to World Health Organisation (WHO) India faces about 18,000 to 20,000 cases of rabies every year. According to the WHO report an estimated 45 pc of all deaths from rabies occur in South- East Asia out of which about 36 pc of the world’s deaths from rabies happen in India.

 Lately, 15-17 puppies were found dead and tied up in three disposable bags in a parking lot at NRS Medical College and Hospital causing widespread outrage in the society.

Along with the puppies, an adult dog was also tied up in a bag while he was bleeding profusely. The locals then tore the bags and the adult dog jumped out immediately due to immense pain. Reportedly, when the locals tore the bag two of the puppies were still breathing. However, they died while they were on their way for treatment.

It is further mentioned in an FIR against unidentified people has been lodged with the police. The police are now scanning the CCTV footage of the area in order to nab the accused. Meanwhile, animal activists demand post-mortem of the puppies and strict action against the accused.

According to the report, the puppies were beaten and poisoned. Putul Roy who stays at the hospital staff quarters was one of the first persons to notice the dog. She told that around 3:15 pm when she noticed the plastic bags because a dog was making a desperate effort to tear it up. The dog was injured and was bleeding profusely.

Meanwhile, NRS medical superintendent and vice-principal told that they have several dogs on premises but they have never seen anything like this before. However, the police probe in the case is underway.

Even though it is illegal to kill a dog in India, acts of cruelty towards animals in India comes with a measly INR 50 fine as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. In 2017, a medical student from Chennai threw a dog from the rooftop of a building, and another friend filmed the entire act. In a more gruesome incident in Bengaluru, a woman flung eight puppies on a boulder, smashing their skulls in the process. Both committers got out on bail after paying a petty fine. In 2014, the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) announced to train homeless dogs to work with police as guard dogs.

Even though animal welfare groups are serious about the issue and several petitions have been filed, the government still needs to do a lot