Abused pedigree dogs rescued from ‘illegal breeder’ in Kalyan

The rescued Boxer and Doberman

On Thursday, acting on a complaint by a citizen vigilante along with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, the Thane rural police at Padgha and PETA seized three starving pedigree dogs - a Doberman, Rottweiler and Boxer - from what they claim was an "illegal" pet boarding facility in Kalyan. PETA volunteers claimed it was not registered with the Maharashtra State Animal Welfare Board.

The volunteers further said that the canines were reduced to "skin and bone and the dogs between the age of 1 and 1.5 years were in deplorable condition, and suffering from anaemia." PETA India Manager of Veterinary Services, Dr Rashmi Gokhale, cited a slew of sections under which constant confinement amounting to cruelty against dogs is an offence in law. She also enumerated a number of violations under different sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, like not providing an animal with enough food.

PETA volunteers said, "The raid took place on August 5, after an alert was raised by a whistleblower. Our emergency response team received a complaint about several pedigree dogs kept in a dire state of hunger at a pet boarding facility in Bapgaon village, on the outskirts of Kalyan, Thane (rural). We then planned our rescue operation with Padgha police station. We headed to the spot with one ambulance, taxi and a police jeep."

The vet further stated, "As all the dogs are female and were kept by the owner of the facility, we suspect he was using them for breeding. We want to tell people to stop buying puppies and kittens and to adopt an animal companion from the community or a shelter instead."

The animal rights organisation added, "Pedigree dogs sold in pet shops and by breeders are typically deprived of proper veterinary care, adequate food, exercise and affection. In contrast, the Indian community dogs are healthier and more robust."

The Rottweiler being taken to an ambulance

When asked about the ferocious reputation of the Rottweiler - the breed is banned as a pet dog in some countries because of its reputed aggression - PETA said it is the "people who are aggressive towards these dogs. The Rottweiler, like Pit Bulls, is commonly used in dogfights, an illegal blood spot where dogs are left mangled and bloody and are unable to walk." With the three canines now off to a sanctuary for care, the organisation claimed it would sterilise and vaccinate them and then try to find a loving home for them. "We are hoping all three will be adopted together," they finished.

August 5
Day PETA volunteers and the police conducted the raid