At the mercy of apathetic govt

Nagole: Animals in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) animal shelter in Fathullaguda in Nagole have been living in pathetic condition for the past several days. Dire inadequacy of amenities and lack of proper care is taking toll on their health, even lives.

The Fathullaguda Animal Shelter was inaugurated on October 01 to help curb the menace of stray animals such as dogs, pigs and cattle in the east zone. A total of 500 dogs, 100 monkeys, 100 cattle and a few pigs are rounded up and provided shelter at the shelter.

A staff member of the animal shelter in Fathullaguda, on condition of anonymity, said that the officials of the animal shelter visit the centre only twice or thrice in a week. The records of the animals are also not maintained properly.

"The operations of the animals are done in not more than 5 to 8 minutes. After the operation, many of the animals die. Adding to this, the surgeries of the animals are conducted by trainees." There are more than four trainees in the animal shelter. Due to the absence of the in-charge, the trainee doctors do the operation without any guidance.

On October 22, 25 dogs were underwent operations, out of which 10 dogs died due to improper treatment, it is alleged. After the dogs die, the carcasses were bound and thrown in the open place near the animal shelter. "This shelter has only 2 cleaners to take care of the cleanliness of the cages. Due to improper salary given to them, they do not clean the cages for weeks.

The animals, especially the dogs, are not taken out of the cages, due to which they urinate in their cages. The food provided to them is cooked once in a day and is left without even covering the utensil with any lid, "said Ajay.

The dog's menace is still a trouble for the locals in the east zone areas of the city like Sainikpuri and Nacharam. Dogs are seen in groups of 5 or 6 roaming in the streets. "We are not being paid our salaries properly. We receive our salary a month late.

Compared to the job that we are assigned, the salary we are given is very less. At times we receive an amount of Rs 8,500 and sometimes even lesser. We have not received our salaries this month. The authorities are never available so that we can talk to them," said Raghu G, a dog catcher.

In-charge Dr P Ramakrishna Rao and shelter manager G Vivek draw flak from animal rights activists for the sorry plight of animals at the shelter. The officials were not available for response, despite several attempts.