Jamshedpur: The increasing incidents of violence against stray dogs here, especially in the past few days, have upset animal lovers who are now contemplating setting up a shelter home if the local administration provides space.
“Every month we receive about 13 calls from several parts of Steel City and adjoining Adityapur related to violence against stray dogs,” Abhishekh Rai, who is a volunteer at the Pets and Animals Welfare Society of Jharkhand, said on Sunday.
On Friday night, one Somamundi Purty (45) was killed in Telco and his wife Chandni sustained injuries when they tried rescuing their dog who was being strangulated by a 14-year-old boy. The teenager was allegedly enraged over the dog’s incessant barking. Later the boy was arrested.
Similarly, a stray dog was allegedly chased and killed by a few people at Ashiana Garden in Sonari last week. Animal lovers later lodged a case under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act at Sonari police station on Saturday.
“If people have a problem with stray dogs then they can approach the dog care organisations online. They should not resort to violence,” animal rights activist Aditya Pathak said.
Akash Dey, who is the founder of the Dost Animal organisation, said, “Those who feed the stray dogs are often bullied. Their neighbours accuse them of luring the dogs into their localities with food, which ends up making the area dirty.”
Prarambh organisation founder Victor Banerjee said that even though many people came forward to feed the stray dogs during lockdown and the practice continued even after the restrictions were lifted, the incidents of violence against them are increasing alarmingly.