Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948):"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animal are treated. I hold that the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man."
On Gandhi's birthday, the 2nd of October 2008, we went to Trivandrum to interview Ragini, a 63 year old Indian woman who had lost three of her dogs to the Trivandrum Corporation because of dog killing operations. Avis picked me up at 2pm in her little ARK van. Just before we left for the city three men came to us screeming 'dog bite, dog bite'. We assumed they meant a dog had been bitten, or attacked by another dog, so we parked the van and followed the men into a nearby house.
But as we got there, there seemed to be nothing wrong with the dog. Not in the sense that he had any injuries that needed to be looked after. It turned out to be a classical case of stupidity of people who do not understand animals. They had called us because the dog seemed to go for them, trying to bite them. Something that wasn't very strange as the poor animal had a huge chain on this neck and stood in the burning sun without any water or food.
It was clear that the dog was frightened to bits. It had its tail between its legs, all the way up to its tummy. And when trying to approach the dog it would bark loudly and jump around nervously pulling the chain. In a very strict tone Avis told the men that they had to give this dog water and to take care of it. She would send in someone later to come and pick the dog up.
There had already been a court case against the Corporation before the High Court of Kerala. This particular case ended with a sole statement by Corporation claiming that they were implementing the ABC/AR programma. Which, of course, was a total lie. They don't vaccinate or steralise any street dogs, they only brutally kill them. On a vast scale. Avis hopes that the court case before the Supreme Court in Delhi will finally put a stop to the indiscriminate killings of dogs.
Protecting Trivandrum's stray from harm
Friday, 3 October 2008
TRIVANDRUM - Ragini has had to go through the pain of losing a beloved dog three times. Three times it was taken away and killed by the Trivandrum Corporation. The 62 year-old telephone supervisor from Trivandrum tells Animal Rescue Kerala (ARK) her story.
"I have no children, these dogs mean everything to me," says Ragini. She is no exception, she says, when it comes to caring for animals. "There are many people here in the Trivandrum area who respect and take good care of street dogs." However, Ragini is an exception to the rule when it comes to talking about the breach of the 1960 Cruelty to Animals Act by the Trivandrum Corporation. People are afraid to speak out, says Ragini. "We all know that the killing of dogs is illegal, yet the City continues with its dirty business."
Not only does Ragini voice her concerns about the welfare of dogs in and around Kerala's capital, she has also taken legal action. She went straight to court after losing her first dog to the brutality of the Corporation in 2001 at Mulavana Junction. "Three of us were feeding that dog; a lady doctor, a workshop man and me. He was a very good dog and everybody was fond of him. He wore a collar and slept in the workshop. This was also a dog that took care of us, because he walked the women of this neighbourhood who returned home, to their doorstep."
Ragini returned one day to an upset and distressed workshop man at Mulavana Junction to find that their faithful friend had been taken away. The man told Ragini that he had heard the dog crying out after they caught him. Despite his best efforts the man couldn't save this dog. He ran after the vehicle but the dog-catchers had injected the dog with lethal cyanide – killing it. Eventually, he had to run for his own safety as the corporation staff threatening him with the cyanide needle.
Ragini has many dogs to look after. Many are in danger of being targets of the Corporation' s indiscriminate killings. Apart from the four dogs in her house, she looks after many in different places in Trivandrum. Most dogs are treated by ARK according to the 2000 ABC/AR programme – the only charitable trust that actually implements the vaccination and sterilisation of dogs in this area. The ABC/AR (Animal Birth Control/ Anti Rabies) Rules were supposed to stop the killing of dogs. However, with the continuous killing of dogs, ARK's work has been made nearly impossible.
In 2004, Ragini's lost another dog that was caught and killed. This helpless dog was appropriately vaccinated and sterilised and caused no discomfort to the neighbourhood. On the contrary, Ragini recounts: "she was a sweet little dog who stood at my doorstep every day waiting for food, even in the pouring rain." The same year, Ragini's case went to court. Unfortunately, due to physical health problems she wasn't able to proceed further. In her petition, she stated that this was 'a matter of public importance' and that 'animal welfare organisations had expressed their consent to proceed with the matter'.
The judgement on the 4th of September 2007 stated that Trivandrum Corporation had told the High Court of Kerala that they were taking measures in accordance with the ABC/AR programme. The agitation and pain in Ragini's eyes are obvious when talking about this statement. "It is not true. They are lying! They don't stick to the ABC/AR Rules at all! Instead of helping the dogs, they harm them and kill them. And they cover it up by saying that these dogs are a danger to people." she exclaims.
ARK and people like Ragini know for a fact that the Corporation has been killing dogs for many years. But in April 2008, they started again on a vast scale. 'Kuthati' was one of the many victims. She was the third of Ragini's dogs to be brutally killed and buried by the dog catchers. All for a mere 20 rupees paid out by the Trivadrum Corporation.
Ragini still shows signs of distress when she speaks of that old dog. "She was sterilised, vaccinated and she wore a special collar. All the workers at Kailhamukku knew her." Ragini is now convinced that they killed poor old Kuthati to get back at her. "They killed my dog for revenge. They're trying to weaken my mind."
Not only are the dogs in the Trivandrum area in danger, so are the people who try to protect them, according to Ragini.While walking down the streets of Trivandrum recently, Ragini was pushed from behind by two men. Apart from this frightening incident Ragini has been threatened many times. However, she stands her ground. "They keep harassing me, but I will not give up. I am fighting for all animals and I have God on my side".
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