Activists say another 30 are missing; police register a case under IPC and The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
One of the dead dogs
Twenty two stray dogs were allegedly poisoned in Ratnagiri city on Wednesday night and around 30 are missing. Sanil Dongre, an animal welfare activist based in Ratnagiri city, got a call from another activist on Wednesday night informing him that the carcasses of a few dogs had been spotted. The Ratnagiri police have registered a case under IPC Section 428 (Mischief by killing or maiming animal) and The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
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Dongre said, “I got a call at 11.50 pm Wednesday from one Sweety Shetye, that she had seen a dead dog near Arogya Mandir stop and there were three more ahead. I rushed to the site and saw the four dead dogs. Later, with other welfare activists, I roamed nearby locations and found 18 more dead dogs. It appears to me that the dogs were poisoned by unidentified people. We found the bodies of 22 dogs and around 30 dogs are missing. I have lodged a complaint with the Ratnagiri city police and we are hopeful that strict action will be taken.” Activists are looking for the missing dogs. Activists who regularly feed strays say they do so with Pedigree or other branded dog food, so the dogs have been deliberately fed poisoned chicken rice.
Ishan Khanolkar an animal welfare activist, said, “What happened on Wednesday night is inhuman. Around 12 am-1 am, I got to know about this horrifying incident. Our other group members found chicken rice near the bodies of the dogs and we think someone from outside the feeders’ community is behind this. The police should take strict action.” The bodies of the dogs were found in Ratnagiri city at Arogya Mandir, Majgaon Road, Godbole stop, Udyamnagar, ICICI Bank Road and Charmalay.
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