A man abandoned his pit bull at Mahim Reti Bandar beach in Mumbai on Wednesday. Pic/Satej Shinde
Around 10.30 am, midday photojournalist Satej Shinde, spotted a man in his late thirties at the beach with the canine on a leash. After a few minutes, it became apparent that the man had left it alone and was walking in the opposite direction
The photojournalist was then shocked to see the dog dashing towards a group of children playing on the beach
After causing a child — who was around seven to eight years old — to fall down, the pit bull moved towards a younger boy, while the man could still be seen a great distance away, seemingly recording everything on his phone
The phenomenon of pet abandonment has prompted animal welfare activists to advise people not to buy fancy pets without understanding that they are bound legally and ethically to provide them with all necessary care and requirements
According to PETA, 80 million dogs and cats are suffering on India’s streets. Animal shelters are overcrowded, and pit bulls and related breeds are the most commonly abandoned in India
Breeders do not warn unsuspecting buyers that this breed was developed in the UK through selective breeding to accentuate characteristics desirable for use in dog fights and attacks, resulting in aggression, abnormally strong jaws and muscular strength
In March 2024, the central government issued a circular prohibiting foreign dog breeds, including pit bulls. It later withdrew the circular for revision. PETA India is calling on the Centre to see how the aim of the circular can be further strengthened to protect vulnerable dog breeds
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