Shivamogga (Karnataka): At least 150 stray dogs have been allegedly buried alive in the Shivamogga forest area by the Mysuru dog squad division, whose primary job was to get these animals vaccinated and rehabilitated.
The brutal act came to the attention of villagers of the Timmadihalli forest area in Shivamogga who happened to hear an unusual cry of a pack of dogs emanating from underground. To their shock, when they dug open the ground they found the dogs were buried alive. Immediately, the villagers sought the help of the NGOs in Shivamogga working for animal welfare, who excavated the carcasses.
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Stray dogs are protected under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and rules enacted under Section 38 of the Act, particularly, the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules 2001, which makes it illegal for an individual, residents welfare association or estate management to remove or relocate dogs.
Gram Panchayats are, however, authorised to take a decision on vaccinating dogs and releasing them back safely. In this case, the panchayat members are accused of verbally passing an order to the Mysuru dog squad to vaccinate and rehabilitate the stray dogs. However, the squad, which picked up more than 150 dogs from various localities, buried them alive in the forest area.
A police case has been registered in this connection.
