‘Animals ailing at ABC centre': NGO flags serious concerns
Chandigarh: An NGO involved in animal welfare activities has raised serious concerns over the abrupt relocation of animals from the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) centre in Sector 38W to the Raipur Kalan animal birth control (ABC) centre, and the alleged misuse of government funds meant for animal welfare.
Both centres come under the Chandigarh municipal corporation.
SPCA Chandigarh, the only government-run veterinary shelter in the Union Territory, has come under scrutiny after its animals were hastily moved to the ABC Centre on April 29, ahead of a renovation project that is yet to begin. Nikki Latta Gill, executive director of Sehjeevi (NGO), described the move as "ill-planned and inhumane," emphasizing that the ABC centre was never designed to function as a full-time shelter.
"The animals are suffering. The relocation has turned a temporary neutering facility into a prison for innocent souls," Gill said at a press conference on Wednesday.
She alleged that many large dogs are forced to stay in smaller kennels and several healthy dogs are not being released. "This will inevitably lead to the development of undesirable, aggressive behaviours, which will become a menace to public safety when these animals are released back to the place from where they were picked," GIll added.
The NGO also claimed that kennel blocks in Raipur Kalan have become breeding grounds for diseases, including canine distemper, tick fever and skin infections. "This also poses a public health hazard when these animals are released back to the streets," Gill added. According to the NGO, paralyzed dogs are almost left to die, with nobody to take care of them.
'Financial discrepancies'
An RTI filed by Gill revealed shocking figures: out of the Rs 96 lakh annual grant for FY 2023–24, Rs 91.72 lakh was spent on salaries, while only Rs 57,565 went toward medical expenses and Rs 3.3 lakh on food — for over 150 animals.
Gill presented veterinary estimates showing that actual annual costs for food and medicine should be around Rs 30.85 lakh, underscoring a massive shortfall in care. Gill has also filed an RTI demanding monthly data on admissions, releases, deaths (with causes), and missing animals; a formal enquiry into the relocation and disciplinary action against officials responsible; and digitalization of records for transparency and governance.
Facility supervisor responds
Supervisor of the facility, Sourav Sharma, said, "A tubewell (which supplies water to Raipur Kalan centre) is currently not functional, however water tanks are being sent twice a day by medical officer, health, because of which we are able to clean the facility." He said talks are underway about creating an open area for dogs and allocating a special area for paralysed animals. He said, "There are two doctors and 23 staff members at the facility.
" For better administrative purposes he recommended that a structured channel be put in place for timely clearance of bills, so that the supplies reach the facility on time, and payment of salary for staff.
MC to take stock: Kumar
MC commissioner Amit Kumar said, "There is a team already working on the facility, and we will detail the team to review the situation."
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