Mumbai: Activists rescue 10 of 18 dogs dumped at Aarey Milk Colony

Animal lovers with the bodies of two of puppies found in the colony. Pic/Ranjeet Jadhav

Following the incident where around 18 dogs were illegally relocated from a housing society in Kandivli to Aarey Milk Colony over a week ago, a total of ten canines have been rescued from Aarey, and efforts to trace the rest are underway. Vijay Rangare, honorary animal welfare officer and Mumbai president of the NGO People For Animals, told mid-day, "Out of a total of 18 dogs, ten have been rescued and the bodies of two puppies have been recovered. Search operations to find the remaining six dogs are in progress at the location where the canines were relocated [on April 13]."

The location where the dogs were relocated is near a forested patch haunted by other stray dogs and even wild animals.

A still from a viral video showing the canines being released in a wooded patch at Aarey Milk Colony earlier this month

On April 17, mid-day shed light on a video that had surfaced on social media showing a group of stray dogs and puppies being relocated via a small goods carrier to Aarey Milk Colony. The clip had left animal lovers fuming. It is believed the canines were shifted from a housing society in Kandivli.

Four individuals have been booked in connection with the matter under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.

According to wildlife conservationist Dr Jalpesh Mehta, releasing stray dogs in large quantities in the area could lead to an increase in leopard attacks and impact biodiversity. "The dairy department needs to monitor Aarey Milk Colony's three main entry points to put an end to such illegal practices," he had told this newspaper.

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No. of puppies whose bodies were found