Author: Atiya Firdos
An illegal breeder kept animals in cages in a small, unventilated garage; Dogs were found suffering from injuries and infections
In a shocking incident cruelty to animalsEleven Shih Tzu dogs, including a 25-day-old puppy, were rescued on Wednesday by a trader who locked them in a small car garage in Doddakallasandra near Ashwath Layout. The rescue operation was carried out by the Shwana Foundation, an non-governmental organization dealing with saving animalsafter receiving information from a local resident. The dogs were found in deplorable conditions, locked in cages in a small, unventilated garage, covered in their own feces, suffering from serious injuries and neglect.
Rescue operation
Sanjana Narendra, founder of the Shwana Foundation, along with her team members Sunderashan, Gnanesh and Nakul, disguised themselves as potential buyers to assess the situation after receiving information about how the Shih Tzus were being treated. On Tuesday, they visited Ramesh, who delivers cans of water and also claims to be a dog and puppy dealer, and found the Shih Tzu crammed into a small cage where the dogs had numerous scratches and bite marks from fighting each other. Ramesh placed male and female dogs together in an enclosed space, which triggered aggression.
The next day, around 9:45 a.m., they called 112. The police inspected the place and found that the dogs suffered from an infection. “The dogs had severe infections, eye ulcers and severe fevers as a result of the inhumane conditions they were subjected to,” Sanjana said. Subramanya police also found that Ramesh was also selling expired dog food contaminated with rat excrement, further endangering the animals. Quick action by the police resulted in the rescue of the dogs and the police issued an NCR (non-recognizable report). The defendant voluntarily surrendered the dogs and was warned not to get involved illegal breeding practices without appropriate licenses.
Excessive breeding, hormonal injections
The rescued Shih Tzu was cross-bred and the females were forced to breed more often than their natural estrous cycle allows. “A dog typically goes into heat once every six months, but unethical breeders often inject them with hormones to induce heat more often, compromising the dog’s health for profit,” Sanjana said, adding that over-breeding can lead to physical exhaustion, infections and complications in dogs, shortening their lifespan and causing serious emotional distress.
Aftermath
All the rescued dogs are currently undergoing treatment at Papa’s Lifeline Hospital in Jayanagar. A 25-day-old puppy that has been separated from its mother too early is under special care, as puppies should not be separated from their mother until they are at least three months old. The accused also harassed and threatened Sanjana and her team over the complaint, but the police intervened and warned him and his colleagues.
The need for ethical breeding
Early breeding, hormonal injections and poor living conditions cause serious physical and psychological damage to dogs.
