Woofing brigade

The gates are thrown open to incessant snarls,as some of them scuttle ahead to swoop while others throw insistent looks from the cages.

The gates are thrown open to incessant snarls,as some of them scuttle ahead to swoop while others throw insistent looks from the cages. Although the entrance says beware of dogs you can only blame yourself for discounting the seriousness of it. With over 105 dogs welcoming you with growls,its only Dr Zareen Patel’s reassurances that escort you till her drawing room.

Sheltering stray dogs for many years,58-year-old Patel says that a passion for animals since childhood is now a full time task for her. With over 16 to 18 kennels many dogs,including some special breeds like Great Dane,Labradors and German Shepherds,also roam free over an area of more than an acre at her ancestral house in camp. “I have always been fond of dogs and my dad gifted me a German shepherd soon after my medical studies. However the number has increased over the last four years. Stray dogs are generally held responsible for knocking down people and accidents on the roads and are often killed. So I thought of gathering them at a single place to keep the surroundings safer,” says Patel who is a clinical genetist dealing with counseling for inherited diseases.

Every dog has a story and a name. While Bronzo a three-legged dog was brought after being isolated by his owner,Pluto’s owners ignored it leaving without food and making it survive on Homeopathic tablets. Tied to an electrical pole was found a German shepherd while Zulu is fighting venereal cancer. Some puppies have been thrown from over the fence at midnight. And while Brownie Clownie is one of the sweetest,Sasha,a huge Labrador,remains the mascot of the house. “They are territorial and one is the leader,so they generally stay in groups with a leader. Only a couple of them actually attack the rest only yap. We aim for rescue,relocation and rehabilitation. Many young Irani students ask for them but I don’t encourage students and ensure that the owner is settled here so that they are not isolated again. We had once given 20 puppies. Through advertisements response is always there,at times even from farmers or beggars,” says Patel.

With a couple of more dog lovers contributing to the effort,Sunito Gidwani the neighbour and PD Bharshankar also assist Patel in the activities. Having organised anti-rabies camp recently the team also plans to register as an organisation. “Dogs are useful in sniffing bombs,drugs and in gemology. Countries like Russia use them in Army. We also must include these breeds here,for instance I have Swiss Appenzel,it is a mountain dog – a rare breed,which can climb straight walls,it was dumped here by a driver after it had changed three houses. Dogs are also used for pet therapy Bangalore. I plan to start some similar project in the city. I hope we will change the approach and wipe out the notion that dogs bite and they are dirty,” she concludes.

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animals
dogs
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