Berhampur: A social worker has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) against the savagery of miscreants in tying the faces and legs of 12 stray dogs in Odisha’s Berhampur University recently.
In his petition, Rabindra Kumar Mishra sought effective measures by the state government and the centre to ensure protection of animals. Though many steps were taken by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protect the rights animals, there was gross violation of laws by the authorities of Berhampur University, he alleged.
The petition has stated that the cruel treatment given to the dogs has caused deep injuries to the animals.
After being informed, animal helpline members moved to the University campus, but they were allegedly misbehaved by the authorities. The helpline members were attacked and their phones snatched by the authorities, the petition alleged.
Earlier, the matter was also taken up with animal rights activist and BJP leader Maneka Gandhi, Berhampur Superintendent of Police Sarvana Vivek M and Vice Chancellor of Berhampur Univeristy, Geetanjali Das.
It may be noted that the University authorities were accused of being involved in the tying of stray dogs’ faces and legs and keeping them locked in a hostal room. They were irked by barking of the stray animals. When the hostel inmates noticed that the dogs were in captivity, they apprehended danger to the lives of the animals and informed Berhampur Jeev Suraksha Sangh (Berhampur Animal Protection Association). After the association members reached the campus and intervened, the dogs were set free.
