VSPCA's appeal to India's President on behalf of street dogs

February 22, 2006

photo and text on redesigned web site: www.visakhaspca.org

Pradeep Nath, (email: vspcadeep) on behalf of Visakha SPCA, met

with the President of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, during the President's visit to

Visakhapatnam . Below is a copy of the letter to the President which he

presented. It is a plea for the President's active interest in animal welfare

matters and to look into the matter of the recent illegal dog killings (some on

" behalf " of the President's visit!).

VSPCA has been having an ongoing fight in the courts and on the streets --

monitoring and protecting the 24,000 already operated dogs. And Visakha city

has now incorporated the Greater Visakha area where the ABC has to begin

immediately with an estimated 25000 dogs added by Government order. Mrs.

Maneka Gandhi has been a very crucial help in this matters.

13 February 2006

To His Excellency, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India

We are the Visakha Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

We started our organization to prevent the sufferings of animals, to

create awareness among people about the needs of animals, to promote kindness to

animals, to stop animal sacrifices in the name of God, to stop the illegal

transportation of animals, to safeguard wildlife, and to protect endangered

species. All of these activities are aimed at improving the quality of life in

Visakhapatnam.

Our mission is not just to animals. We promote sustainability through an

integrated approach. For example, our animal shelter includes working examples

of bio-gas production, vermiculture, and organic farming. Our motto is " Human

Welfare Through Animal Welfare " .

Another expression of our motto is the Animal Birth Control program. The

ABC program seeks to vaccinate and sterilize street dogs in Visakhapatnam. Since

1999, and at the request of the municipality, we have attended to more than

24,000 dogs. Our work has improved the welfare not only of dogs, but of all

residents of Visakhapatnam by controlling animal-borne disease and reducing the

future population of unwanted dogs.

And yet just this past Friday night (February 10th), in anticipation of

your visit to our city, the Visakhapatnam municipality ordered and funded the

killing of dogs along the parade route. Thirty dogs were murdered, and of these,

29 had been vaccinated and sterilized by our Animal Birth Control (ABC) program.

It troubles us that the animals should be the victims of a VIP visit.

Unfortunately, this was not an isolated incident. The municipality has

on numerous occasions funded this sort of activity. We should ask ourselves,

what is the point in killing dogs? Considered simply from the standpoint of

fiscal responsibility, why spend tax money to make a dog safe, and then kill it?

The killing of dogs is illegal, but just as importantly it is not an

effective solution. A murdered dog leaves a space, and into that space will soon

come another dog; one that will not be vaccinated, has not been sterilized, and

is more aggressive. ABC dogs are more docile, disease-free, and will not breed

unwanted dogs.

The figures are clear:

· 20,249 dogs vaccinated and sterilized from 1999 through 2005.

· 4396 dogs euthanized under Animal Welfare Rules; specified as

suspected rabies, violent dogs, and terminally ill.

· Since 2001, a 75% reduction in the number of pregnant females.

· Since 2001, an 80% reduction in the number of puppies in the city.

· Since 2001, a reduction in the number of mothers with puppies of

90%.

· According to King George Hospital records, new complaints of dog

biting have gone from 100 per day to 10 per day

· Finally, since the VSPCA has taken over the catching of dogs, we

have seen a reduction in the number of dog-related complaints from 60 per day to

only 2 per day.

The Government of AP, Animal Husbandry Dept, estimates the number of dogs in

Visakhapatnam at 16,000. Though exact coverage figures are difficult to obtain,

we feel that the ABC program has reached 80% of the Visakhapatnam dogs. By any

measure, the ABC program has been a success.

It is thus curious to us that we should receive such poor cooperation

from the local Visakhapatnam authorities. In fact, it is partly due to a lack of

cooperation that we have trouble evaluating the full extent of the success of

the ABC program.

The problem is greater than a simple lack of cooperation, the

Visakhapatnam municipality is in violation of:

1. Dog Rules 2001 framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act,

1960, under the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest, New Delhi.

2. The Memorandum of Understanding Between Visakhapatnam Municipality and

VSPCA

3. The AP High Court Judgment, December 2005

4. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960

5. Animal Welfare Board of India Rules, Chennai

Dog control is the responsibility of the VSPCA, the municipality has

asked us to do this, but we must have the cooperation of the municipality to

accomplish this task.

We request your public support and cooperation in our efforts to

control the dog population through legal and humane methods.

The ABC program is but one of many VSPCA animal programs. We shelter

cattle rescued from illegal transportation and slaughter. Their dung produces

gas for cooking and vermicompost for organic cultivation. With these

fertilizers, we grow food for our animals. This integration is a highlight of

our work, and our shelter is like an Eden. Our programs go beyond domestic

animals, we work also with wild animals; rescuing monkeys taken from the wild

and later abandoned, and parrots taken by fortune tellers who starve them and

break their wings. These animals can be seen by a veterinary doctor, recover

their health, and be considered for release. Finally, we work with endangered

species such as star tortoises and Olive Ridley sea turtles - dozens of which

are now coming every night to nest on the beaches of Visakhapatnam.

Our work extends even beyond animals. We fight for responsible

development and conservation of environmentally sensitive areas.

Our work reflects our passion, but it is also an expression of our

national identity. Ahimsa is India's heritage and culture. It is the example to

which we aspire.

Vizag is growing - what sort of Vizag will we build? We are not against

development, but too often we see development take the path of irresponsibility,

lawlessness and cruelty. India is growing. What sort of India will we build?

What kind of Indians will we become?

We are grateful to you for hearing us on behalf of the innocent animals.

We are hoping for the best possible coordination in the future, and we ask only

for those things which are necessary to ensure that humans and animals can live

together within the ethical, moral, environmental, and legal frameworks that

guide our lives.

Thank you for your consideration,

Pradeep Kumar Nath

President, Visakha SPCA

Enc: Dog Rules, 2001

Memorandum of Understanding

AP High Court Judgment

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act

Animal Welfare Board of India Rules, Chennai

February 23, 2006

In the memorandum it was mentioned:

" Dog control is the responsibility of the VSPCA, the municipality has asked us

to do this, but we must have the cooperation of the municipality to accomplish

this task. "

But As per Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Animal Birth Control(dogs) Rules

2001.It is responsibility of Local authorities Like,Municipal

Corporation,M.Committees,Panchayats etc to establish Dog pounds and conduct this

programme with support of Animal welfare organisations and Various Departments

etc.

but, Really It is distressing that The Local authorities barely budge and

People as well as dogs suffer due to this apathy.They do not bother about their

duty as per Rules.

Warm regards,

Dr.Sandeep K Jain

Former Member,Animal Welfare Board of India.

On Wed, 22 Feb 2006 Weintraub wrote :

>photo and text on redesigned web site: www.visakhaspca.org

>

>Pradeep Nath, (email: vspcadeep) on behalf of Visakha SPCA, met

with the President of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, during the President's visit to

Visakhapatnam . Below is a copy of the letter to the President which he

presented. It is a plea for the President's active interest in animal welfare

matters and to look into the matter of the recent illegal dog killings (some on

" behalf " of the President's visit!).

>

>VSPCA has been having an ongoing fight in the courts and on the streets --

monitoring and protecting the 24,000 already operated dogs. And Visakha city

has now incorporated the Greater Visakha area where the ABC has to begin

immediately with an estimated 25000 dogs added by Government order. Mrs.

Maneka Gandhi has been a very crucial help in this matters.

>

> 13 February 2006

>

> To His Excellency, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India

>

> We are the Visakha Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

>

> We started our organization to prevent the sufferings of animals, to

create awareness among people about the needs of animals, to promote kindness to

animals, to stop animal sacrifices in the name of God, to stop the illegal

transportation of animals, to safeguard wildlife, and to protect endangered

species. All of these activities are aimed at improving the quality of life in

Visakhapatnam.

>

> Our mission is not just to animals. We promote sustainability through

an integrated approach. For example, our animal shelter includes working

examples of bio-gas production, vermiculture, and organic farming. Our motto is

" Human Welfare Through Animal Welfare " .

>

> Another expression of our motto is the Animal Birth Control program.

The ABC program seeks to vaccinate and sterilize street dogs in Visakhapatnam.

Since 1999, and at the request of the municipality, we have attended to more

than 24,000 dogs. Our work has improved the welfare not only of dogs, but of all

residents of Visakhapatnam by controlling animal-borne disease and reducing the

future population of unwanted dogs.

>

> And yet just this past Friday night (February 10th), in anticipation

of your visit to our city, the Visakhapatnam municipality ordered and funded the

killing of dogs along the parade route. Thirty dogs were murdered, and of these,

29 had been vaccinated and sterilized by our Animal Birth Control (ABC) program.

It troubles us that the animals should be the victims of a VIP visit.

>

> Unfortunately, this was not an isolated incident. The municipality has

on numerous occasions funded this sort of activity. We should ask ourselves,

what is the point in killing dogs? Considered simply from the standpoint of

fiscal responsibility, why spend tax money to make a dog safe, and then kill it?

>

> The killing of dogs is illegal, but just as importantly it is not an

effective solution. A murdered dog leaves a space, and into that space will soon

come another dog; one that will not be vaccinated, has not been sterilized, and

is more aggressive. ABC dogs are more docile, disease-free, and will not breed

unwanted dogs.

>

> The figures are clear:

>

> · 20,249 dogs vaccinated and sterilized from 1999 through 2005.

>

> · 4396 dogs euthanized under Animal Welfare Rules; specified as

suspected rabies, violent dogs, and terminally ill.

>

> · Since 2001, a 75% reduction in the number of pregnant females.

>

> · Since 2001, an 80% reduction in the number of puppies in the city.

>

> · Since 2001, a reduction in the number of mothers with puppies of

90%.

>

> · According to King George Hospital records, new complaints of dog

biting have gone from 100 per day to 10 per day

>

> · Finally, since the VSPCA has taken over the catching of dogs, we

have seen a reduction in the number of dog-related complaints from 60 per day to

only 2 per day.

>

> The Government of AP, Animal Husbandry Dept, estimates the number of dogs in

Visakhapatnam at 16,000. Though exact coverage figures are difficult to obtain,

we feel that the ABC program has reached 80% of the Visakhapatnam dogs. By any

measure, the ABC program has been a success.

>

> It is thus curious to us that we should receive such poor cooperation

from the local Visakhapatnam authorities. In fact, it is partly due to a lack of

cooperation that we have trouble evaluating the full extent of the success of

the ABC program.

>

> The problem is greater than a simple lack of cooperation, the

Visakhapatnam municipality is in violation of:

>

> 1. Dog Rules 2001 framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Act, 1960, under the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest, New Delhi.

>

> 2. The Memorandum of Understanding Between Visakhapatnam Municipality

and VSPCA

>

> 3. The AP High Court Judgment, December 2005

>

> 4. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960

>

> 5. Animal Welfare Board of India Rules, Chennai

>

> Dog control is the responsibility of the VSPCA, the municipality has

asked us to do this, but we must have the cooperation of the municipality to

accomplish this task.

>

> We request your public support and cooperation in our efforts to

control the dog population through legal and humane methods.

>

> The ABC program is but one of many VSPCA animal programs. We shelter