NGO rescues stray dog with 60% burns

Even as several dog lovers observed National Dogs Day on Saturday, members of an animal welfare organisation were left numb on seeing the cruelty meted out to a stray dog, which suffered over 60 per cent burn injuries possibly inflicted during an acid attack or due to fire crackers.

The dog, who has been named Jalwa by the officials from Thane SPCA where it has been admitted for treatment, was rescued from Marol on Saturday by volunteers of Awaaz Voice of Stray Animals (AVSA).

"We had received information about this dog on Thursday but we could not locate it. On Friday one of the dog feeders from Andheri east found it and alerted our NGO on Saturday morning," said Amit Pathak from AVSA.

Pathak said on close observation, it seemed that someone could have either poured extremely hot water or mild acid on it or else it could be a case of someone throwing a cracker near it.

Shakuntala Majumdar, President of Thane SPCA said that the dog was brought in an extremely critical condition, and has been so traumatised that it has just been sitting quietly since then. "As soon as it was brought to us we began treatment. It has now been kept in an air conditioned room," said Majumdar adding that once its condition stabilises, tests will be carried out to see if there are injuries to internal organs as well.