Srinagar, Apr 28: The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Kashmir, which recently confessed to have last year aired the “propaganda” that dogs were being poisoned in Srinagar, is no more in the good books of Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), country’s apex body looking into rights of animals.
 Sources said the AWBI was so fed up with the working of the SPCA that it has decided to disband the body. Greater Kashmir is in possession of relevant documents in support of the issue and will publish a series of stories to reveal the alleged muck and what observers see as “dog business worth millions of dollars” in the coming days.

JK-AWBI MEETING
 The sources said Maj Gen (Retd) RM Kharb who is the Chairman AWBI has conveyed his dismay over the working of the SPCA during his recent meeting with state government officials who had a one-on-one with the former Army official at his Gurgaon residence.
 Major Kharab is believed to have informed the state government officials that the AWBI had provided resources including a vehicle to the SPCA people but the latter “misused it”.
 The sources said the eyebrows were even being raised as to why the SPCA members tried to be “dog rights activists” alone whereas they failed to keep an eye on rights of other animals including cattle, horses and cats.
 “Instead of having been equally concerned about other animals including needy cattle or horses who get wounded from time-to-time, the SPCA people had one point agenda to plead the sterilization of dogs and that dog rights were being violated,” said a senior official in the administration, requesting not to be named.
 “As if sterilization of dogs, dogs and dogs alone was on their agenda,” he added.
 Pertinently, earlier this year, eyebrows were raised on the working of the SPCA when a pregnant cow, which was lying unattended near the media hub in Srinagar for around a fortnight wasn’t attended by any “animal rights activists”, not even SPCA to be precise.
 The poor animal finally gave birth to a calf which died instantly though some locals, SMC and the Animal Husbandry department tried to save the newborn. The SPCA didn’t either enquire about the welfare of two horses which were rescued alive by the SMC from a marsh in a moribund condition last month.
 
THE MILLION DOLLAR ISSUE
 The dog sterilization in Srinagar, for now is being seen as a million dollar investment. Official documents reveal that till now, the government out of money meant for human welfare has spent over Rs one crore on the construction of state-of-the-art dog pounds at Shuhama on the City outskirts, where the male of the specie are scheduled to sterilized from the coming month.
 But the irony is that experts are apprehensive of its fruitful results saying that by the time 40 dogs will be sterilized 400 more will be born.
 Besides, the dogs will be impounded temporarily for sterilization, after which they are scheduled to be set free in their respective localities.
 If all the stray dogs are to be impounded for safety of humans, an initial investment of around Rs 1000 crore will be required as no less than 1800 pounds bigger than the ones at Shuhama will have to be erected. This excludes the recurring expenditure of “boarding and lodging” of the dogs there.

STERILIZATION SHELVED FOR YEARS
 The SPCA Kashmir for some five years remained in news, pressing for sterilization, a drive which never realized till now.
 Many say the sterilization plan didn’t mature due to infighting between various “dog right activists” trying to bag the multi-crore project or at least be a watchdog for the investment.
 
THE POISONING THEORY
 Recently, a prominent “dog rights activist” associated with the SPCA Kashmir, admitted that he had complained of dog poisoning, a allegation which couldn’t be proved true, despite a high level probe ordered by the National Conference led government.
 But then why allegations leveled that the rights of dogs were being violated in Srinagar that too at a time when humans have been the deadly bite victims. Did somebody want to generate more of sympathy for the stray dogs so that they be impounded at pounds expected to cost around Rs 1000 crore?
 Questions are many. While most have convincing replies, a million dollar question posed last year by the then Chief Justice FM Ibraheem Kalifullah remains unanswered: Will a dog stop biting after sterilization?
(To be concluded)

Lastupdate on : Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 29 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST