Abandoning canines, a ‘pet’ trend in city

 

 

 

Already grappling with problems on multiple fronts, the city is witnessing an alarming trend of abandonment of pets, especially dogs. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is already at its wits end to manage stray dogs, the addition of abandoned pet dogs makes their task of controlling canine population on the street more complex. Nagpur’s upscale localities are witnessing a sharp and alarming increase in pet abandonment, with over 200 dogs dumped in the past six months alone. What is more surprising as animal welfare workers report, pedigreed breeds, including German Shepherds, Labradors, Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, and Pomeranians, are being discarded in quite a large numbers.

 

Areas such as Beltarodi, Besa, Katol Road, Manewada, Dharampeth, Civil Lines, RTO, and Shantinagar areas have become hotspots for abandonment of pets, especially dogs. Gorewada Road is now known as a hub for abandoned dogs. In Manewada alone, 12 dogs were found in just six months. Reports said, two German Shepherds and a Pomeranian were found loitering on the streets in Beltarodi, two trained German Shepherds on Katol Road, and a Doberman near RTO. Smita Mire, who works in animal welfare field, expressed concern over the rise in illegal breeding and called for immediate crackdown by the authorities. She linked the rise in abandonment of pet dogs to these illegal breeding and unregulated sale thereon. At the outset, no foreign breed should be allowed in India. “We must prioritise Indian breeds and stop the reckless buying of dogs for show. Illegal breeders are fuelling this crisis,” Mire said. Experts attribute the crisis to irresponsible pet ownership.

 

Dogs are often treated like status symbols or toys, only to be neglected or dumped once they grow or become inconvenient. According to Mohit Sheram, a Lhasa Apso dog breed owner, “People buy puppies as they love the pets’ puppy phase. But as soon as the dog grows up, it becomes a liability to the owners as the pet is no longer a cute puppy. The dogs after growing up stage is similar to humans, and herein lies the problem and unable to cope with demanding schedule and attention needed the owners prefer to abandon their pets. Like female dogs have menstrual cycles, while the male dogs develop a habit of dry humping, and these things irritate the owners who while adopting the puppies never anticipated these issues. So Mire advised proper guidance to people when they come for adoption of puppies as same would avoid the issue of stray dogs at later stage.”

 

Another pet owner not wanting to come on record explained that the cost of owning and maintaining dogs are extravagant, from shampoos, vaccinations, their branded foods and a lots of other expenses that generally overwhelm the owners and abandonment seems a easy way out for them. Abandonment is not just immoral, it’s illegal. Under Section 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), negligence towards animals is punishable by up to six months’ imprisonment or a fine of Rs 5,000. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, also penalises abandonment that causes unnecessary suffering. The Animal Welfare Board of India urges citizens to adopt Indian breeds, report abandonment, and reject illegal breeders. “Accepting Indian breeds and promoting adoption is the only humane and lawful path forward,” the Board stated.