If someone is thrown to the dogs in Mumbai, it's the dog

The two-year-old St Bernard, currently admitted in the ICU of the Bombay Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) hospital, looked secure and happy in the air conditioned room.

Three days ago, an animal lover found him in a distressed state in Lalbaug, with a terrible maggot infection on his neck.

He is just one of the steadily growing band of pedigree dogs, who are being discarded by fickle-minded owners.

With greater access to an increasing number of foreign breeds, it takes little to take the decision of bringing a cute little puppy home. It is when the puppy grows big and starts eating his weight in food that most people realise their mistake.

“It is either due to a chronic disease, change in temperament, large size, cost of maintenance, or fear of medical expenses that lead people to dump their dogs at hospitals and on roads,” Dr JC Khanna, secretary of the BSPCA, said.

“These dogs are not used to being on their own and they usually end up getting injured or killed on the streets,” Khanna said.

“Nowadays, it is a status symbol to have these breeds as pets even though they are not suited to our climate.”

Animal hospitals such as the BSPCA are often used as a dumping ground for unwanted animals, where people either leave them in their compound or admit them under false identities. They currently have around 12-13 owner-less pedigreed dogs that include a Neapolitan Mastiff, a Great Dane and many German Shepherd. Additionally, they take care of around 50 rescued stray mongrels.

“Most of these dogs have a serious medical condition. That is because they are bred in terrible conditions by home breeders where the parents are used as reproducing machines and then sold in markets like Crawford,” Vivienne Choudhury, vice president of In Defence of Animals (IDA), said. “There has to be proper monitoring of breeding, registration and licensing, which is virtually non-existent. They are bought like fancy toys and discarded when the purpose is served.”

“The dogs are used to certain conditions..., they don’t know how to scavenge for food. Therefore, they usually go through severe depression and are highly stressed. Most of these abandoned dogs do not make it due to injury, only two or three are successfully rescued,” Srinivas Jakkani, animal behaviorist, said.

Last month, a blind Bulldog passed away in the Thane SPCA because of multiple car accidents.

“Mandatory licensing of all pet dogs and micro chipping would ensure reduction in such cases,” Shakuntala Majumdar, Thane SPCA, said.

Reasons for abandonment
German Shepherd: medical condition, size, temperament

Pug: Chronic skin condition

Great Dane: High maintenance, size

St Bernard: High maintenance, size and medical conditions due to unsuitable weather

Rottweiler: Aggressive temperament

Neapolitan Mastiff: Skin and other medical conditions

Labrador: Size, hyperactive behavior, stomach-related ailments