Going To The Dogs! - How Delhi Abandons Top Breeds

Pedigreed canines being thrown out on the streets every day by owners who are unable to nurture them after the initial showing-off

- Abhishek Anand And Chayyanika Nigam

Boozie, a six-year-old St Bernard, was rescued by animal lovers from Narela in Outer Delhi a few months ago. Chained inside a compound and fed infrequently, her eyesight was diminishing and health deteriorating. Now Boozie is recuperating at the Fauna Police shelter in Vasant Kunj.

Lado, a one-and-a-halfyear-old Saint Bernard, also ended up in a shelter home after a couple residing in South Delhi bought and subsequently abandoned it when they could not devote the resources and energy needed for her well-being.

Abhinav Srihan, Fauna Police member and animal rights activist, says at least one such pedigreed dog is abandoned in the Capital every day. According to Srihan, people perceive them as status symbols and buy thoroughbred puppies to show-off without any knowledge of the breed’s dietary and upkeep requirements.

“Saint Bernards belong to the Swiss and Italian Alps. They are huge, furry and docile dogs which were actually bred for Alpine rescue missions during avalanches. If one buys or adopts such a dog in India, it needs to be taken care of. This dog has a heavy diet. Owing to the big size, it cannot just fit anywhere and it drools since the weather is hot. People need to give the dog air-conditioning or keep it in cooler climes during the summer. Owning a Saint Bernard is not a joke, it’s a responsibility for 15-16 years,” adds Srihan.

THE GREED TO BREED