City, a haven for illegal dog breeders: CUPA

The City has become a haven for illegal dog breeders and traders, who keep animals in pathetic conditions.

An investigation carried out by teams from Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA) has revealed 15 such illegal breeding centres across the City. Addressing mediapersons on Saturday, Suparna B Ganguly, Secretary of CUPA, said this is just the tip of the iceberg and these centres may be accounting for barely 10 per cent of the total number of illegal dog breeders in the City.

About 100 dogs were found in 15 centres which are run without licenses and are not registered with the Animal Welfare Board of India. The animals were kept in unsanitary conditions that violate the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. She said that these centres operate out of residential terraces or small rooms in busy markets where several dogs jostle for space in small cages. No water is provided and the dogs and puppies were suffering from various diseases.

The report in this regard, which was released during the press meet, talks of several examples of how these animals are kept in severe, harsh and unhygienic conditions, but are still sold at high prices.

A breeder operating from BTM Layout had ten puppies – including Mudhol puppies – which were locked in small cages on his house terrace. The puppies were living without food, water and were covered in faeces and worms. They were to be sold for Rs 71,000.

Another operates out of just two cages in his rooms, and has put six puppies for sale at Rs. 66,000. Soumya Reddy, a member of the Animal Welfare Board, said, “This is a multi-crore industry that has mushroomed illegally in the last 10-15 years. The conditions are inhumane in these centres.”