CHENNAI: At least 45 dogs that had been kept confined by the
IIT Madras management in some ‘enclosures’ have died. Following the deaths, a police complaint was lodged against IIT-M
registrar Jane Prasad
and others by animal activist Harish of Bangalore on Friday.
The IIT-M registrar, however, denied the allegations and said the Madras high court has been hearing a connected case and passing orders to the Animal Welfare Board of India, animal husbandry department and Greater Chennai Corporation, besides the petitioner.
Officers at the police commissioner’s office confirmed receiving the complaint on Friday, and said they would now forward it to the Kotturpuram police for further inquiry. An officer at the Kotturpuram station said they would conduct preliminary inquiry and register an FIR.
As per the complaint, addressed to the city police commissioner and
Mylapore
deputy commissioner of police, animal activist
Harish K B
said the registrar and the management were responsible for illegally capturing 186 healthy stray dogs and keeping them in closed confinement in cages and chains since October 4, 2020, within the IIT-M campus.
“All the 186 dogs were extremely healthy, young and a majority of them were sterilised as per the ABC Rules, 2001, before the illegal capture. The strays were not provided proper care, resulting in 45 dogs dying a slow and painful death. Dr
Jane Prasad
has herself confessed that 45 dogs have died,” he said in the complaint.
He said the dogs died because they were constantly kept in confinement in a closed environment and never had the freedom to move, walk or run around. “They were not provided with proper diet and water. This act by IIT Madras is an act of contempt of the
Supreme Court.”
“Invoking Sections 428 (killing, poisoning or maiming animals) and 429 (mischief by killing or maiming cattle or any animal) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and other Acts and laws deemed fit by your esteemed office, we request you to investigate and take suitable action against Dr Jane Prasad and her management colleagues,” he said.
Registrar Jane Prasad told TOI: “We have a fulltime veternarian and five handlers taking care of the dogs on campus 24×7. Thrice a week, we give them chicken and rice twice daily. On other days we give eggs and rice twice daily.”
She said: “Toys have also been provided. We have an airconditioned operation room. Some dogs take only pedigree food, we give pedigree food to them. About 10,000 square feet space has been earmarked for them and hence, there is enough running space for the animals inside the open shelters.”