PETA asks Mayor to reconsider dog shelters

CHENNAI: When Mayor Saidai S Duraisamy made the announcement that the Corporation was thinking of building a large, spacious dog shelter that could house up to 2,000 strays and keep them off the streets, every person who had been chased by a stray dog on their way home at night, rejoiced. Agreed, the animal lovers and the adoption groups didn’t exactly jump at the proposal as they stuck to their guns - mooting sterilisation and adoption over “confinement”Now, two whole weeks after that announcement was made in the Corporation budget 2012-13, animal activist group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has sent a firm letter to the Mayor, asking him to reconsider and repeal the idea. “Confining an animal is a fate worse than death for them. This attempt will lead to extremely crowded, filthy shelters that will cause fighting and the spread of contagious diseases,” said Deepti Mishra, Campaign Coordinator.Coming close on the heels of a Corporation officials disclosure that the project would take some more time as the budget and location were yet to be finalised, PETA’s letter appears to be an attempt to nip the dog shelter idea in the bud, “We are even considering veterinary support, so that the strays can have a home, food and basic care, which is more than they have now,” added the official.Despite an assurance from the Corporation that the proposed shelter would be “comfortable and humane”, the PETA letter charged that it would be in contravention of the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 and The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.Animal rescuer and founder of the Dog Lovers Group Arunodaya Reddy says, “Fundamentally, we’re an unfriendly city for animals. So, if these shelters are constructed like the pounds in the UK and USA, then it will be a boon. At least they’ll be fed and can live a peaceful life.”