BENGALURU: A recent report has flagged several violations at a dog shelter maintained by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) in Bengaluru North.
The report, titled Stray Dog Shelter- Bangalore North City Corporation, was prepared by a team comprising former veterinarians from the BBMP and Animal Husbandry Department, along with veterinarians from People for Animals (PFA), Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA) and People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
Experts have found violations of guidelines issued by the Supreme Court, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB). The violations relate to animal care, waste disposal and water management at the shelter in Shivaram Karanth Layout under the Bengaluru North City Corporation.
The report states that dog waste is being disposed of in a pit functioning as a septic tank. This has reportedly resulted in faecal contamination of borewell groundwater.
Cooking, gas use and cleaning are also carried out inside the pound or holding premises. The inspection team found no proper fire-safety measures, including fire extinguishers and adequate escape doors. It also noted poor safety and hygiene conditions.
The experts also flagged the poor drainage system. The holding area has no direct drainage connection inside the kennels. Waste has to be washed down towards a central drain, which is not deep enough. The same drain also serves as a stormwater drain and is not wide enough, making it vulnerable to flooding during the monsoon.
The absence of tiling was also flagged as a concern, as it could encourage bacterial and fungal growth.
Suparna Ganguly of CUPA, who was part of the team that inspected the shelter on September 9, said the drainage system and outlet could contaminate groundwater. This could make the water unfit for consumption for people living in the layout and depending on borewells.
According to the guidelines, the shelter should be designed to house 500 dogs, with each dog having a separate enclosure. At present, 74 dogs are housed there.
Ganguly said this is the only shelter set up by the GBA that is currently operational. Ideally, there should be four shelters, one in each direction.
The report has been shared with the City Corporation Commissioner and the KSPCB for further action. A response is awaited, she said.
The experts also found that individual identification records of the dogs were not maintained. Health cards and other health records were also unavailable. The mesh enclosures were compromised, ventilation was inadequate, and feeding was unmeasured and of poor quality. The report also noted a lack of safety measures for handling staff.
