The Jamshedpur Red Paws Rescue Foundation on Saturday submitted a memorandum to East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Suraj Kumar, requesting him to initiate action against animal torture.

In the memorandum, volunteers of the Foundation, an NGO established in 2018, have highlighted an incident wherein a pregnant dog was mercilessly assaulted with rods in Uliyan (Kadma) locality of the steel city on February 2. One of the eyes of the speechless animal was also seriously injured. She also suffered a fracture on the skull. The dog was also dragged and later thrown along the road.

Five persons, Kishore Rajak, Abhishek Rajak, Bharat Rajak, Shatrughan Rajak and Sudesh Rajak were involved in the attack. Animal lover Aakash Dey has lodged an FIR with Kadma thana against the four accused. However, the police have so far taken no action against the four accused.

According to Aniz Patel, founder of the foundation, they have submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner and requested him to initiate strict action against the four accused who severely assaulted the innocent canine. "So far, police have taken no action against the accused. Animals in Jamshedpur continue to become soft targets," he added.

Referring to the incident, Patel said perpetrator of the crime Devyanti Rajak or Kaari alleged that the dog tore the seat cover of her scooty. "She (Devyanti) openly admits that men members of her family assaulted the dog. She also threatened our volunteers (who reached out to help the injured dog) to lodge a rape case against them," he added.

The Foundation has requested the DC to take the case on priority basis and ensure the accused get the strictest punishment as Article 21 of the Constitution protects all forms of life, including animal life. In addition, article 51A (g) imposes on all citizens a fundamental duty to have compassion for living creatures.

Patel said merciless people have assaulted dogs in the city earlier. "One dog was severely assaulted in Telco last year while the neck of another canine was sliced with a sword. However, no action was taken in this regard."

The NGO has launched drives to administer anti-rabies vaccine on strays and put reflective collars around their necks. Volunteers also feed strays in their respective localities.

Foundation shuts animal shelter

The Jamshedpur Red Paws Rescue Foundation has closed its animal shelter in Pardih locality of steel city due to paucity of funds. "We were facing financial problems in running the shelter. There was no option than to shut it. Some of the dogs living at the shelter were adopted while I took two canines to my home,"Patel said.