PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
Based on a complaint of animal cruelty filed against contractors and workers at a construction site in Jogiwala area of Dehradun, the Nehru Colony police rescued four donkeys and shifted them to a shelter. The complaint was submitted by Surabhi Tripathi, senior project manager of People for Animals (PFA) Uttarakhand.
According to the complaint registered on Saturday, four donkeys were being forced to carry heavy construction materials to the 10th floor of the under construction Anand Vivanta Royal Residences project. The animals were reportedly made to climb steep concrete stairs several times a day despite being physically unfit for such work. The complainant alleged that the donkeys were being beaten by workers and handlers and were not being provided adequate rest, water, shelter or medical care. She informed the police after witnessing the condition of the animals at the site on June 6.
After receiving the complaint, Nehru Colony police reached the spot and called a veterinary doctor for a medical examination. During the check-up, the veterinarian reportedly found that the donkeys were too young for such work, were weak and dehydrated and had injuries on their backs. Following the examination, the four donkeys were rescued and shifted to Happy Home Sanctuary, an equine shelter run by PFA Uttarakhand in Chharba area of Dehradun. The animals were handed over to the shelter for care and treatment.
During the investigation, police learned that the donkeys belonged to a man identified as Sunil Kumar, a resident of Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh. According to the complaint, he had left the site before police arrived. Police have registered an FIR against the contractors, builders and animal handlers allegedly involved in the animal cruelty case. Further investigation is underway, police officials said.
