Pets trapped inside DSK’s seized house

Security says 2 dogs, 5-6 cats trapped inside sealed gates are fed, but animal lovers raise concerns over their well-being, access to healthcare

Many months after scam allegations were slapped on well-known city businessman DS Kulkarni and his family, and following the seizure of their home on Senapati Bapat (SB) Road, it has emerged that two pet dogs are trapped inside the premises and seemingly unable to leave the locked gates, sparking major concerns among animal lovers.

A video shared by a resident of the area via social media on Tuesday revealed the unkempt condition of the two canines, who sought desperately to be petted and barked for attention through the fencing, having had no direct human contact or affetion for months on end. The property was sealed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on September 30, 2019 — since then, trespassing is prohibited here.

When Mirror went for a look, security personnel sitting outside the gate said they provide the canines with dog food and water regularly. However, animal lovers pointed out that the health and well-being of a pet does not just depend on being fed, while also highlighting that in case of any illness, there was no clarity on how a veterinarian doctor could access them, asking if a vet has seen them in all this time.


The person who shared video chose to stay unnamed and said, “I walk my two dogs on a route along the sealed bungalow. The security guard claimed the dogs are given food and water, but is this any way to keep them? They are inside sealed property, how are basic health check-ups done on them? They appear to be of the Labrador breed and seem malnourished. To even check if they are experiencing any health issues, some measures will have to be taken.”

Meanwhile, sharing that they get a monthly supply of pet food, the security guard revealed that there are more animals inside, saying, “There are two dogs and at least 5-6 cats inside the house. We get food for them and water supply is done through a tanker; the same water is also used to clean them. As the property is sealed, the pets are not allowed to step outside the gate.”

Calling it a definitive case of cruelty, animal activist Sushma Date, who works around the area, shared, “If these animals have been trapped inside the gate for more than six months, it amounts to cruelty. They need socialisation, human companionship and regular visits to a doctor. In such a case, the dogs need to be rescued.” On a different note, Vineeta Tandon, president of the group Voices for India’s Voiceless Animals (VIVA), said, “Animal lovers should take care of the food if they are being fed only dog food. Taking legalities into consideration and in accordance with lawyers, check-ups of the dogs also need to be done regularly so that they are de-wormed. Personally, I feel they should not be taken to a shelter — efforts should be made that they remain at their own house.”

Special public prosecutor in the DSK Group case, Pravin Chavan, said, “Activists showing concern towards the animals can send an application to the ED. Once legal permission is granted, the animals could be rescued and the property sealed again.” Meanwhile, Economic Offences Wing (EOW) assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Shivaji Pawar said, “We will first verify the case and then take an appropriate decision this issue.”