Is PETA hiding its reality behind the 'veil' of mercy for street animals? Caregivers share their experiences
A few weeks ago, Anita Mendes, an animal lover and caregiver, took to her Facebook account to share her experience with PETA. She allegedly accused PETA that they have euthanised a dog in Andheri East, Mumbai, who didn't have a major injury.
FollowEuthanasia is also known as mercy killing. When an animal is too much in pain or agony, and no treatment can help save its life, the veterinarian decides to put down that animal and euthanise it through medication and injection. Over the years, there have been many cases about PETA (an NGO that is supposed to take care of the street animals) euthanising injured (7 out of 10) dogs. To dig more, Asianet reached out to a few animal caregivers and feeders, read what they have to say.
Vicky Mukhia has a 9 to 5 job, yet he takes his time out to feed street dogs and rescues street animals for over 12 years. Talking about PETA and its alleged hidden side, he said, "A dog with a fractured leg was picked up by PETA from one of my friend's place in Mayur Vihar, Delhi and was euthanised immediately despite local rescuers asking them not to. I tried to inquire about the issue via their helpline number. I spoke to Meet Ashar, and he informed me that the decision to euthanise an animal is by the vet. When I asked for the documentation, he promised someone would get back, but no one ever did. I pushed the inquiry a little further, and I was given a vet's number who behaved very rudely with me and told me I have no right to question PETA. Without giving me any data, she threatened and blocked me. This is how they operate, and it's one of many cases."
Orpita Ghosh, who was involved in the above Mayur Vihar case in Delhi, is a caregiver and animal rescuer, expressing her views about the same she said, "PETA does not have a shelter, so they should not pick up the dogs. The organisation should treat the dogs on the spot. They lack transparency, communication and never share any information or documentation. The dog was full of life and hope; he only had a fracture on his hind limb. His spine was alright; he could have been treated and not euthanised."
"We talk about animal hate; I think right now, the biggest threats are organisations like PETA," she further added.
Neeta Sabharwal, a Delhi resident and a caregiver, shared her bitter experience with PETA; she said, "I never got any information of the concerned dog. I learnt that the dog was hit by the car and was wounded. The dog went back to its original place and hid under it. So, when the car ignited, he could not manage to get out in time and got injured once again."
"So the person whose dog it was, Googled and found PETA's number and called them. Then I tried to follow up with the PETA members, and they informed me that the dog had grievous injuries, and after two days of treatment, he passed away. I tried to inquire a little further, but they cut me short and tried to blame me that I wasn't there at that time. So, I have no right to know anything further," adds Neeta.
Dr Manilal Valliyate, a member of PETA, talking about the matter of euthanasia, said, "It's the vets who decides whether an injured dog or animal will be euthanised. We get over thousands of calls on our National helpline number, and we attend to the injured animals based on the calls. We give treatments on the spot or take them to vet hospitals, and we keep contact with the caller or the feeders."
When asked about the Andheri East case faced by Anita Mendes, he said, "The vet saw the injury and the maggot infection and took the decision. If it had been brought by somebody else, the decision would have been the same."
Twinckle Khan, an animal lover, a caregiver and a lawyer, faced a similar case, believes that legal action against PETA is a must, "First, we need to stop calling PETA for help. We need to file an FIR against them, and maybe then we can shake the ground of this organisation."
