A controversy erupted after a video allegedly showing cruelty towards stray dogs inside the Khalsa College campus went viral on social media, triggering protests by animal activists outside the college premises.
Protesters on Friday accused unidentified persons of brutally assaulting and dragging dogs, allegedly leading to serious injury. Demonstrators called for an independent investigation into the incident and strict action against those responsible. Sana, an activist, alleged that one of the viral videos showed a dog tied to a battery-operated rickshaw and dragged mercilessly, resulting in injury. She further claimed that another dog’s leg was fractured during the incident.
The protesters alleged that some security personnel associated with the college could also be involved in the matter.
They demanded that the dogs seen in the viral videos be produced, and their condition verified. Activists argued that if the animals needed to be removed from the campus, they should have been shifted humanely to shelters with proper medical treatment rather than “being subjected to cruelty”.
Meanwhile, Khalsa College Principal Atam Singh Randhawa strongly denied all allegations.
He said no dog had been killed inside the campus and alleged that certain individuals were trying to malign the institution’s image.
Randhawa said the college administration and staff regularly cared for dogs living inside the campus, and even arranged treatment for injured animals with the help of animal welfare organisations.
According to him, one of the dogs seen in the videos had already been injured earlier, and later hurt its paws while trying to escape from a locked room by breaking glass panes.
He said several dogs were still freely roaming inside the campus, and that food and water arrangements had been made for them.
Referring to the viral video showing a battery-operated rickshaw allegedly dragging a dog, the Principal said the vehicle did not belong to the college, and that many vehicles from outside entered the campus daily.
The Principal said the matter would be investigated thoroughly, adding that if any individual was found guilty, appropriate action would be taken.
The demonstrators also criticised the Punjab Government.
No direction on removal of dangerous animals: MC
Meanwhile, even after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s announcement to remove dangerous stray dogs and start a drive on Friday, the municipal corporation (MC) said it had not yet received any official directions from the government to begin such a drive yet.
The development comes after the Supreme Court permitted euthanasia of stray dogs in cases where the animals are rabid, incurably ill, or demonstrably dangerous to public safety.
Referring to the issue, the Chief Minister said the Punjab Government stood with citizens, and would take steps to protect people, especially children and the elderly, from attacks by dangerous stray dogs.
However, officials in the MC said no formal instructions had been issued so far regarding the implementation of any euthanasia drive.
