Pune's Dog Roundup for Cycle Rally Sparks Animal Welfare Outcry
The Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) initiative to round up community dogs along the route of a recent cycle rally has ignited fierce opposition from animal welfare activists and volunteers. The drive, which continued through the event's final day on Friday, has been described as a "cruel and illegal" exercise that blatantly violates established animal welfare norms and regulations in India.
Allegations of Cruelty and Illegal Practices
Volunteers and caregivers have raised serious concerns about the methods employed during the dog-catching operation. According to their accounts, dogs were chased through heavy traffic during peak daytime heat, exposing them to dangerous conditions and extreme stress. The animals were then confined in PMC's dog-catching vans for up to 12 hours without adequate provisions.
In several instances, the captured dogs were reportedly transported to facilities such as Canine Control and Care (CCC) or the Blue Cross for temporary holding. However, under Indian animal welfare laws, particularly the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, relocating community dogs from their established territories is strictly prohibited. Such actions cause severe physiological distress and disrupt the local ecological balance, as these animals are integral to their environments.
Lack of Coordination and Accountability
Manjiree Patawarrdhan, a dedicated community dog caregiver, highlighted the significant lack of coordination during the drive. She explained, "Several dogs were kept in captivity for up to 12 hours due to poor planning. Catchers are lifting dogs across large areas without proper geo-tagging or support from local volunteers, making accurate identification and timely release nearly impossible."
Patawarrdhan estimated that over 100 dogs may have been picked up over the past few days, emphasizing that even temporary removal causes severe distress. "Animals do not understand being moved to 'safe' places—this effectively amounts to illegal relocation," she added, underscoring the psychological impact on the dogs.
Targeting Vulnerable Animals
The drive also reportedly targeted vulnerable and non-reactive animals, raising further ethical questions. Bhagyendra Chudasama, an animal welfare volunteer who monitored the operation, witnessed the plight of a senior dog. "On the first day, a 15-to-16-year-old dog on F.C. Road was unnecessarily caught despite being completely calm," he recounted.
By Friday, the situation had escalated, with a PMC van carrying 12 dogs who were confined until 8 pm without food or water. Chudasama noted, "Shockingly, the staff themselves were unclear about exactly where each dog had been picked up. This lack of accountability is inhumane and a clear violation of animal welfare norms."
PMC's Justification and Activists' Response
PMC officials, however, maintained that the action was a necessary safety measure. A senior official defended the drive, stating it was conducted under the district collector's orders to ensure the safety of participants during the high-speed rally. "The objective is to ensure that neither the dogs nor the cyclists are injured during the event. The dogs are released after a few hours. Until then, they are housed in PMC vans or at designated facilities like Blue Cross or CCC," the official stated.
Despite these justifications, activists are calling for stricter adherence to the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules and other animal welfare regulations. They argue that public events should not come at the cost of animal rights and that alternative, humane measures must be prioritized to balance safety concerns with ethical treatment of community animals.
The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between urban development initiatives and animal welfare in Indian cities, prompting calls for better planning and compliance with legal frameworks to protect vulnerable animal populations.
