TeaThose NCR dogs have run away. And hundreds of his carers are looking for him everywhere – posting the prizes on Facebook, Instagram, handbills and posters.
It happens every Diwali, but the dogs got two years of respite during the pandemic. This time, the noise of the firecrackers returned, and the dogs were again on a battlefield. Now they are missing, and caregivers find themselves lost, looking for them everywhere.
“My friends and I are constantly posting about it on social media – on Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook groups. We are also distributing posters on foot, but the dogs are nowhere to be found,” says Mansi Rautela, co-trustee of Wagging Tales, a South and Central Delhi dog feeder and rescue group. His four stray dogs are said to be missing since Diwali. He also said that this happens every year.
Many caregivers confirmed Mansi’s statement. And it is not just during Diwali – even during Christmas, Bhai Dooj, Karva Chauth, when the festivities include loud crackers, dogs run away. Gayatri, who is studying at a veterinary school in Austria and had never experienced anything like this before, lost her two dogs sometime after Diwali this year. Both returned with bite marks and scratches on their bodies, indicating the horrors they must have gone through.
Most rescuers and feeders are feeling out of luck as it has been days since they last saw their dogs. “It’s been 13 days, and we still haven’t received our jasmine. She is old and needs a lot of care. I am doing everything to find him,” says Anupriya, who runs an Instagram account called Dogs (and Cats) of Delhi. He has also announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for finding his dog.
Gurugram-based rescuer and feeder Chhavi Goel, 32, is also searching for her stray dog Sr. Onja, who has been missing since October 25. They say that some people deliberately hurt stray dogs by taking advantage of Diwali this year. “I saw people throwing firecrackers at my dog’s food area. These guys can’t even be reported because they would easily get away with saying they were just playing,” she says. Chhavi has also announced to give 10 thousand rupees as prize money. While searching for Senior Onja, Chhavi is caring for the other canine siblings, who are weeping in concern for their lost family member.
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Award, Rescue Team, PWD
Both Chhavi and Anupriya were mostly approached by the dog caretakers. Then there are others who are willing to find dogs just for the reward money. Some even make prank calls to make things worse. But the dog feeder community is united, and members are helping each other find missing dogs.
The CCTV footage of the feeding area is also helping the feeders in locating the dogs, but the red tape of the Public Works Department is blocking it. Anupriya’s stray dog, Jasmine lived near Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s house, which is completely covered with CCTV cameras. Even after giving written application, PWD did not provide the footage. Anupriya says, “It has been several days and the PWD clerks are still saying that it will take some time.
In this difficult time, auto drivers, watchmen, street vendors and traffic police are also offering help. “I was able to find one of my missing dogs because NDMC workers helped me,” says Uma Ramesh, a retired professional from Faridabad. She says doing the footwork is the most rewarding when it comes to finding missing dogs.
“I have been taking care of stray dogs for the past 40 years, and social media has never helped me find my dogs. What works is talking to shop owners, ice cream vendors, chai wala, and the watchman. In fact, the traffic police are also very helpful,” adds Uma.
Several missing strays were found at a distance of 20-30 km from the house. Search teams are going out every day and dog caretakers are not losing hope.
(Edited by Likes)