Vet students intensify stir

MUMBAI, January 29: Enraged by the alleged interference of the Bombay Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals BSPCA management in the...

MUMBAI, January 29: Enraged by the alleged interference of the Bombay Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals BSPCA management in the treatment of animals, about 200 students of the Bombay Veterinary College BVC stormed the office of the Associate Dean Dr P M Puntambekar at the college8217;s Parel campus this morning.

The students8217; representatives later submitted a memorandum to Associate Dean Dr Puntambekar asking him to look into the alleged irregularities of the BSPCA management. Said Vijay Fulsundar, chairperson of the Maharashtra Veterinary Students Association MVSA, a memorandum was submitted to the Associate Dean listing their demands.

The representatives have sought action on the following four demands: the transfer of the Animal Birth Control ABC project from the BSPCA to the BVC to regularise dog sterilisation and stop the misuse of property. It has been reported that animals which are brought in for sterilisation are subjected to removal of blood, later transfused into domesticatedpets brought to the hospital by dog-owners.

Secondly, the students demanded that the private practice of Dr M B Mantri, who is hired by the BSPCA and heads the ABC, be stopped. They said the ABC has led to differential treatment being meted out to stray dogs, as compared to domestic pets.

The alleged misbehaviour of the BSPCA management and their interference in day-to-day treatment of animals was also criticised. By not permitting students hands-on practical training, the BSPCA is depriving them of education, alleged students. They added that pet animals which are brought for treatment to the hospital wards are referred to Dr Mantri8217;s clinic, which deprives students of honing their veterinary skills. They also demanded an attitude change from the BSPCA management, and demanded that students be allowed to educate themselves on animal surgery. The last demand was for an exclusive unit for undergraduate students to conduct their practicals, which is yet to be installed 112 years after the college was setup.

The students also flayed the BSPCA manager8217;s statements terming the vets and students as 8220;useless8221; and that they 8220;do not attend to duties even when they are supposed to8221;. The students have threatened to intensify their stir if the BVC authorities do not take the matter seriously, Fulsundar said.