MANGALURU: Pinky, an approximately 18-month-old desi dog, which was once struck at a construction site and battling for life, has now emerged as the national winner of
PETA India's seventh annual
Cutest Indian Dog Alive contest.
Pinky had earlier edged out hundreds of other dogs to become one of the 10 finalists. Last year, one Jean Crasta, found the then helpless pup at a construction site near
Mangala Stadium here. Jean took her home and made the pup a part of her family.
"I happened to see her when I was feeding other stray dogs. With the help of a corn seller, I rescued her and took her home. Her toes and nose are so pink that I named her Pinky," Jean said.
PETA India, in a statement, said it created the contest to show that the kindest thing a prospective guardian can do is to adopt a dog from the streets or an animal shelter.
"No animal should face abuse of any form. I would encourage all those who could to adopt a pet and see the difference too in their lives as the well as the pet’s," Jean told TOI.
"This will also help us work towards a Mangaluru, free of disowned and abandoned animals," she added.
"Pinky proves that adopting a dog from the streets or an animal shelter can fill your life with a joy and love that words can't express," Erika Goyal, Associate Manager of Online Marketing, PETA India said. "Although this pup has won our contest, all rescued dogs who have found loving homes are winners," Erica said.
Pinky will receive a certificate and a "100 Per Cent Desi Dog" doggie T-shirt, and her guardian Jean will receive a "My Dog Is a Rescue Dog" T-shirt as well as a copy of PETA India founder Ingrid Newkirk's book Let's Have a Dog Party! 20 Tail-Wagging Celebrations to Share With Your Best Friend.
Brownie from Puducherry, whose guardian is Shael Tyagi Kundra, has been adjudged the runner-up. The second runner-up is Chuchu, whose guardian is Tavneet Walia from Pune.
All winners will appear in an upcoming issue of Animal Times, PETA's magazine for members.
About the guardian: Jean Crasta completed her Master's in Sociology, Master's in English and a diploma in Counselling and Early Childhood Development. She has also pursued a diploma in naturopathy, beauty therapy, skin and hair.
To fulfil a mission to help and provide support to children who suffered different forms of abuse, she set up 'The Little Flowers Child Counselling Centre' in Mangalore in 1998. She is currently the trustee of the Centre.
She also embarked on a mission to help women rediscover themselves and build their self-confidence with fashion and image makeovers. More recently, she further builds on this passion by opening an exclusive Bridal Makeup and Hairstyle Salon. A part of the money from the salon goes towards supporting stray animals.
Pinky had earlier edged out hundreds of other dogs to become one of the 10 finalists. 
