Okay, this is a long post and for those who care about animals and animal welfare. Background: My friend Anindita Basak, who lives near the Gariahat Market has been working for animals for the last 25 years. We have been working together as individuals (not part of any organisation) for the last few years. We occasionally send animals to vetted NGOs and organisations for sterilization or in cases when the animal needs round-the-clock treatment and we are unable to provide that in our homes, which are already full of rescued animals. One NGO which has fallen from grace in my book is Chhaya. It used to be pretty good 4-5 years ago. I have sent dogs there myself and they have returned healthy. However, in the last few years, the place has become a menace. How? Because dogs that should have survived, mysteriously perish once taken there. In Salt Lake, Chhaya employs a dog catcher called Sanjay who takes dogs away from their place, EVEN IF HE KNOWS THEY ARE BEING TREATED. In the last few months, a dog I had started to treat for paralysis (in BD market) was taken away. No one is willing to tell me if he is still alive. Another dog being treated in Salt Lake by my friend Monica was also picked up by Sanjay. Recent Case 1 Anindita was busy over this weekend (Sunday the 7th of September) so she asked me to check on a dog at Gariahat Market which had been beaten by someone. This dog had been neutered and vaccinated by us. I found that there was a broken leg which was inflamed (our vet confirmed today that it is a fracture) and there was internal bleeding as fresh blood was seeping out from the anus. I immediately started her on Chromostat injections (to stop haemorrhage), a painkiller cum anti-inflammatory medicine (Melonex) and antacid injections and a bit of steroid (after consulting the doctor over phone). She was eating and otherwise responsive so we were planning to take her for an x-ray on Monday and the doctor thereafter. She lives in a very safe place within the bajar where she is fed (she was beaten by some outsider) and I was ok leaving her in her spot. However, she was untraceable on Monday. Finally, we found out that she had been reported by someone (a very self-important, foolish old man) and had been picked up by Chhaya. I went and was able to get her back today after threatening Chhaya with legal action and with aggressive name-dropping. Needless to say, the behaviour meted out to be was rude...to say the least. I was told that at Chhaya, that their protocol is to give every animal that comes in a Hitek injection. Animal workers will know how inadvisable it is to use Hitek as a primary dewormer. This has a huge impact on the liver, and more dangerous for a dog with no antecedents! I only use Ivermectin (the main component of Hitek) to treat mange and maggots, with a liver guard. Also, as the anti-haemorrhage injections were stopped, she had developed a huge bloody abscess which was drained today by our vet. Chhaya also gave her antibiotic injections via intra-muscular injections, which are very painful. The humane way to give administer ‘thick’ antibiotics is through the IV route, along with some saline. Thankfully, the dog is back where she belongs and the x-ray and vet treatment will proceed tomorrow, after a nerve-wracking delay of 48 hours. Recent Case 2 The over-helpful gentlemen who got the above dog picked up by Chhaya also had another dog picked up from Gariahar Bajar. This dog had been previously neutered by Chhaya and she has now contracted Venereal Granuloma which, according to on-line veterinary journals is a histiocytic tumor of the dog that mainly affects the external genitalia, and is transmitted from animal to animal during copulation. The question is, how has a ‘sterilized’ female contracted this? Simple. Because she has copulated. Which means she was in heat. Which means that both one, or both ovaries have been retained and only the uterus has been removed. SCIENTIFIC FEMALE STERILIZATION REQUIRES THE REMOVAL OF BOTH OVARIES AND THE UTERUS. I managed to get this dog back as well. She will soon undergo chemotherapy, which is the best treatment for her condition. So, the next time you want to ‘help’ an animal and think ‘free’ Chhaya is the best option, think again. Working for animals takes funds, medical knowledge, common sense, effort, and a total lack of (human) ego.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 13:59:54 +0000
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