Posing as activist, woman walks away with family’s dog

Dhoom Singh and accused Hema

A 47-year-old Ayurvedic medicine seller has filed a complaint accusing a woman and her accomplices of forcibly taking his pet German Shepherd posing as animal activists. The MIDC police have booked Hema Chaudhary and two others. Complainant Dhoom Singh said his wife, three sons and daughter are inconsolable after being separated from their pet.

Originally from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, Singh came to Mumbai to sell herbs and Ayurvedic medicines from his van. Barring monsoon, when they do farming, the family spends rest of the year in cities selling what he called "jadi booti". Singh has stayed put on a pavement near the Western Express Highway in Andheri East.

On March 13 evening, Singh said, Chaudhary and two men came to him and forcibly put his dog Jimmy in a vehicle. She allegedly abused his family and threatend to burn his medicine van after they vehemently protested. As passersby gathered, the 2-year-old female dog became restless. Seeing her, Chaudhary calmed the dog and apparently told the crowd that they were government officials and one of them was from an NGO. She allegedly said they were taking the dog for a medical check-up.

Singh's family said Jimmy has been with them since she was a tiny pup

The accused took the dog to a house at Anand Nagar in Jogeshwari, Singh and his wife accompanied them. "At Jogeshwari, she asked me to sign a paper that said I cannot he take care of the dog so I'm giving it to her NGO," said Singh. "When I refused to sign the paper, Chaudhary and her accomplices threw me and my wife out the house. They said even if Modi or Sonia Gandhi came there, they won't return the dog," said Singh.

The nomadic herb seller said his entire family is in shock for the past 10 days. "My 16-year-old daughter who is deeply attached to the dog is not eating properly since the. She has promised to visit the church in the vicinity and light two dozen candles if Jimmy returns safely," said the distraught father.

Singh said his brother has a male and female dog in their hometown and Jimmy was born to them. He said Jimmy has been with his family since she was one and a half month old. "She has been visiting places with us. We would feed her milk and bread in the morning, roti and vegetables in the afternoon and chicken in the evening.

Earlier attempt

On March 8 and 10, Singh said, some people tried to snatch away Jimmy. When Singh called the police, they said he was not taking care of the dog well. "The police explained to them that every person has the right to raise an animal. After that, they handed over Jimmy to me and went back," said Singh.

‘My intention was not wrong'

Chaudhary said she runs an NGO named Bezuban Public Welfare Trust that feeds over 2,000 animals in the city daily. She said a few activist informed her that the dog was kept in a poor condition. "When we tried to take the dog, Dhoom Singh and his family members started arguing and abusing. I called the police control four times, but they didn't turn up. I took the animal with me for treatment. I was accompanied by Dhoom Singh and two members of his family."

Chaudhary said Singh did not have any documents related to the dog. "When we did a medical check-up two days ago, it was revealed she had a high fever and low platelet count." Chaudhary said she promised Singh that she would good care of the dog. "I also told him that if he wants, he can come to see the dog anytime. My intention was never wrong. I have told this to the police as well, but they registered a case against me." She claimed that Menaka Gandhi had called the police in this regard but the cops didn't take the call.

Can't we keep a pet?

Reena Richard, an animal activist and a lawyer, who helped Singh file the police complaint, said she learnt about the dog after Chaudhary posted photos and videos on Facebook.

"In one of the videos, Hema is seen belittling Dhoom Singh for his wish to keep a German Shepherd as a pet because he was a ‘banjara' and selling ‘jadi booti' on the roadside and didn't have a house. She further states that she's having all the authority to take away his pet dog as she is from an NGO." Richard said Chaudhary boasted of having the backing of Maneka Gandhi.

"Many animal activists are misusing the term ‘NGO' and using muscle power and influence to do illegal things and suppress the poor and helpless. If anyone is aggrieved by a banjara keeping a German Shepherd as a pet, then they can use the available laws and remedies. Taking away someone's pet dog without his consent is theft." Animal activist Salim Charania, president of non-profit Empowering Hands Foundation, said many animal activist act as law enforcers to seize animals.

"Later, they give the said animals for adoption and collect donations. This is completely illegal, only a magistrate has the power to decide the custody of an animal in case of cruelty. In such a case, the animal will be sent to SPCA for temporary custody. No NOG or activist has the right to seize any animals or act as an agent of the authorities."

Navani, an animal welfare officer appointed by the Bombay High Court, Chaudhary violated the law by pretending herself as a government official and pressuring the owner to give a letter of surrendering the animal. No arrests have been made, said the police.