Maharashtra: 'Where have our local street dogs disappeared?' Citizens ask civic body

NAVI MUMBAI: City-based animal lovers and local dog feeders have informed that at least a dozen local community dogs are missing under mysterious circumstances from Nerul, Vashi areas of Maharashtra for over two months and have urged the civic authorities to help them find their missing dogs.
While the officials from the health department of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation have denied having any hand in the missing local dogs issue, the animal activists have asserted that they have launched a search and will also be questioning the municipal dog catchers in case they have any clues.
"From Nerul sector 19 and 19A itself around five dogs have gone missing. Some of the citizens had seen a few dogs being picked up and put in a van recently. I have myself observed that five of the local community dogs which I used to feed regularly have gone missing this year. Some locals have hinted that a few animal haters may have asked a local corporator to take out the dogs. It is very distressing for animal lovers," said activist Arati Chauhan of Harit Navi Mumbai group.
She further stated: "On February 24, an old and vaccinated street dog was picked up by the NMMC van. Only after some of the local animal feeders raised a hue and cry, this old dog was returned back to the spot. So, the question which obviously arises is whether some ignorant people are trying to get rid of dogs under the pretext of Swachhata (cleanliness) drive; or if it is some other factor."
When TOI contacted the NMMC veterinary officer, Dr Vaibhav Zunjhare, he said: "We have not picked up any of the local dogs that are said to have gone missing. If the citizens have seen any local community dog being randomly caught and put in a van, then the people should provide us with the vehicle's registration number. NMMC is only undertaking the sterilization of the local dogs, which are then dropped back to their respective areas after the operation is done."
When asked to comment on the allegation if the Swachhata drive in the city has anything to do with the cases of missing dogs, Dr Zunjhare, said: "The Swachhata drive has nothing to do with the presence of local dogs or cats."
Vashi-based activist, Rohit Malhotra, said: "It is emotionally upsetting to realize that some of the local dogs that we were feeding for years suddenly disappear. From Vashi areas over six have gone missing since late December last year. If NMMC is denying doing it, then I suspect that some private groups are illegally abducting our dogs. It could also be for some illicit meat trade."
Meanwhile, a Nerul based animal feeder stated: "There was a friendly brown coloured dog with an abdominal tumour outside Nerul station (east); and also a black coloured dog with a skin issue. Both these dogs suddenly went missing from here since late December last year. Animal lovers had also made 'missing dog' posters in this regard, since we are constantly thinking about where our missing dogs have vanished."