Authorities in India Spur Protests After Killing 200 Dogs

NEW DELHI — Authorities in the southern city of Bangalore have killed more than 200 strays in a bid to rid the city of dangerous packs of dogs, officials said yesterday.The killings of the animals in India’s high-tech hub have sparked protests and allegations of animal cruelty.Officials launched a drive to round up strays last week after a young child was mauled to death by a pack of street dogs, the second such deadly incident in three months, Municipal Commissioner K. Jairaj told the Associated Press.More than 1,300 dogs were captured in five days and more than 200 that were identified by veterinarians as diseased, rabid, or aggressive were euthanized, Mr. Jairaj said.The drive, however, has been suspended until more animal shelters can be built. Animal activists also have protested, saying dogs were being indiscriminately killed and cruelly treated.Millions of strays live on the streets of India. Some, particularly in areas near garbage dumps or butcher shops, form dangerous feral packs that have attacked people. Rabies is also rampant.Animal activists, who claim to support the plan in principle, say it has gone horribly wrong, as overzealous laborers failed to differentiate between dangerous dogs and “community pets” — somewhat tame animals that are cared for by residents. These dogs, activists say, help keep wild dogs away from the neighborhood.“The commissioner has given orders that only sick, ferocious, and dangerous dogs should be taken, but on the ground level, even innocent dogs were picked up,” said Sanober Bharucha of Compassion Unlimited Plus Action, which runs one of Bangalore’s largest animal shelters.The shelter is already full of strays rounded up by authorities and has had to suspend its regular operations, which include sterilizing and vaccinating city dogs, while they deal with the newcomers, she said.They have also had to turn away hundreds more dogs because they do not have the space. “It is absolutely tragic,” she said.Mr. Jairaj said the drive was suspended until three new shelters were built. Bangalore residents allege that the wrong animals were captured and abused.“I saw one white dog being dragged on the ground by a chord around her neck while one of the catchers beat her with a plank that had nails embedded in it,” said Jeremy D’souza, 42, who took part in a protest Monday night along with about 500 other people.

Authorities in India Spur Protests After Killing 200 Dogs

Authorities in India Spur Protests After Killing 200 Dogs

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