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Naupada: Four dogs rescued on May 31 by Naupada police can considered themselves fortunate for being saved from a breeder’s clutches. But most dogs are not that lucky.
Youth Organisation in Defence of Animals (YODA) and Naupada police laid a trap and rescued two Labrador and two cocker spaniels from breeder Maya Sandhu.
Maya and her husband Tejwinder had adopted two Labrador from Ayeshea Silviera, an animal lover, who helps in adoptions of dogs. When Silviera visited the Sandhus’ Bhayander home a few days after they adopted them, she found the flat locked.
Suspecting something amiss, she contacted YODA. The Sandhus had put up one of the dogs for sale online, which gave them away. YODA workers then posed as buyers and arranged a meeting with Maya. While Maya has got bail, her husband is absconding.
This incident brought to fore the way dogs are bought and sold in India. “There is no policy for dog adoption, purchase, sale or even breeding. Background check of the person who is adopting or buying a dog becomes crucial,” said Pooja Sakpal, co-founder, YODA.
There are many organisations, including YODA, that facilitate adoption of dogs.
However, the number of people who adopt a dog for the pure pleasure of having a pet at home is minuscule.
“An overwhelming number of those who have dogs are running puppy mills. They mostly keep female dogs who are made to breed until they become skin-and-bone. Puppies are sold anywhere between Rs80,000 and Rs100,000. Mostly, terraces make for breeding grounds where dogs are kept in very disturbing conditions,” said Priya Agarwal from YODA.
Sometimes, breeders administer steroids to puppies to make them look healthy when the buyers come, but within two-three days they die.
“Background check is the most important thing in the business of dog adoptions. And it is best done through an established organisation. Police and administration are hand-in-gloves with the breeders. So awareness is the only way to save dogs,” added Agarwal. |
Hiranmay Karlekar