Animal Welfare Officer Nirali Koradia has filed a harassment complaint against a group of 15 dog breeders who allegedly abused her inside the Navghar police station in Mulund East recently.
Ms. Koradia approached the Navghar police after she received a tip-off on December 2 that five puppies were being illegally transported from Indore in a private sleeper bus to Mumbai for sale. Ms. Koradia, along with Navghar police officers and Chetan Sharma of Human Society International, intercepted the bus at the check naka near Navghar at 7 a.m.
They found four labradors and one pug inside a plastic basket in the luggage compartment. Ms. Koradia said they brought the puppies who were between 25 and 30 days old to the station. On realising the puppies had not eaten for hours, Ms. Koradia brought some food from a nearby store and started feeding the puppies in a room used by woman constables. Ms. Koradia said a group of 15 dog breeders led by Swapnil Desai entered the room at 10 a.m. and started abusing her and taking her photos and videos. She said, “I bolted the door and started to scream. Hearing my cries, a few officers came to my help.”
Victim tweets for help
She then tweeted tagging the official handle of Mumbai Commissioner of Police Subodh Jaiswal: “I am at navghar police station, and was charged at by the breeders association after having dogs rescued from illegally and cruelty kept. Need help...”
Pushkraj Suryavanshi, senior inspector at Navghar police station, said, “There was a tussle between the accused and Ms. Koradia. The complaint has been sent to the enquiry office and necessary action will be taken.’’
Mr. Suryavanshi said an FIR has been filed against the bus driver, Sukhjeet Singh, and the conductor, Ranjeet Singh, of Hans Bus Pvt. Ltd. under the Transport of Animals Rules, 1978.
Ms. Koradia said the puppies, who were going to be sold for around ₹20,000 to ₹25,000, were taken to an animal wellness and rehabilitation centre in Chembur.
Veterinarian Dr. Deepa Katyal said, “The puppies were drowsy and I assume they were drugged. They had parasitic infections and their blood pressure was low. They seem fine now.”