Animal activists have come together to seek justice for a partially blind female dog named Wriggly who was forcibly and illegally thrown out of a Santacruz based building where she was staying for many years.
While an FIR for animal cruelty has been lodged against certain individuals, Wriggly has still not been found.
Animal lovers have also circulated ‘Missing’ posters with the photo of the dog, in order to try and locate her again.
“Wriggly was a local community dog living inside Shamrock housing society in Santacruz. Since she was semi-blind and weak, she was being looked after by animal feeders. On October 10, a few workers were called by a flat owner, Nitin Prabhu, in order to throw out the dog because a new tenant did not like her presence on the stairs,” said local animal welfare person Rajitta Hemwaani.
Hemwaani added, “There is also an eyewitness who saw the poor dog being dragged down the steps even as she cried in pain. We are unable to find Wriggly now, and hence an FIR has been lodged at Santacruz police station against Nitin Prabhu and others for animal cruelty. Even if the accused tell us where they took Wriggly, we can try and rescue her.”
Vijay Mohanani of Bombay Animal Rights (BAR) said, “We have urged the police to do a proper investigation in this shocking animal cruelty case. However, so far there is no update from the cops after the filing of the FIR. Our eyewitness is also ready to reiterate her account, so we expect action to be taken by the law enforcers.”
The police sub-inspector (PSI) Deepali Patil who is looking into the case, said, “So far, we have not got any CCTV footage from the scene of crime. Further inquiry is on in this matter.”
Activist Savita Mahajan of Animal Rescue And Care NGO, said, “We will soon organise a candlelight vigil for Wriggly, as we want the authorities to act on it. Many animal lovers are deeply upset at how the ailing dog was brutally dragged with ropes and taken to some unknown destination. This is inhuman and cruel. Hence, we want justice, for which we will go to the highest court if necessary.”
Surjitt Sahani
