THANE: As many as 431 instances of cruelty meted out to stray dogs have been reported from Thane and extended suburbs last year by local non government organizations (NGOs) in the city.Animal lovers are now worried about the safety of these homeless animals and are hoping for some change in the amendments for strict laws against the ones hurting the animals.On the backdrop of animal cruelty cases, which occurred in Navi Mumbai where two dogs bled to death after one was hit by a road and one's tail was cut by an unidentified person, the animal lovers expressed annoyance at the rising cruelty against animals.The data compiled by two NGOs, Plants and Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) and Pet Owners and Animal Lovers (PAL), shows that strays suffer fractures either when they are assaulted or if a vehicle runs over them."Out of the total rescue cases which come to us, almost 90 per cent are accident cases wherein a stray gets hurt after a vehicle rams into them and 10 per cent cases are such wherein the dog is beaten up by someone. It is seen that dogs are assaulted either because they don't want to be seen in the vicinity by locals or they have anger towards an animal lover who feeds the strays and want to vent it on the animal," said Nilesh Bhanage, founder of PAWS.It is seen that since 2014 to March 2017 as many as 835 dogs from Thane, Diva, Dombivli and Thakurli suffered grievous injuries and were either paralysed or lost their lives. Only a few could survive and heal from the wounds they suffered."Unfortunately we cannot take actions against everyone who has assaulted a dog as no one comes ahead to be a witness for the crime. Many just report to the NGOs so that the dog receives proper treatment. Also, even if these animals survive they are physically challenged and it then becomes difficult for them to survive as they find it difficult to move around. At times even their spine is damaged and they are unable to move," said Bhaskar Chauhan, canine behaviourist and trainer and volunteer at PAL.Animal lovers blame lenient laws that play an important role in letting off the assaulter with merely a fine."Even if the case is registered, most of the times the accused is unknown and the investigation does not hold water. Even if a person is convicted they have to pay a fine of Rs 100. New laws should be passed and strict action should be taken against the culprits," added Bhanage.

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