The rescued Siberian huskies and a German Shepherd at the shelter in Gajularamaram where volunteers take care of them
| Photo Credit: By Arrangement
Nearly two months after 11 Siberian huskies and a German Shepherd were rescued from the along the Shankarpally–Patancheru road near Bhanur, the dogs remain confined to a shelter in Gajularamaram, caught in a legal and administrative limbo that animal welfare activists say is delaying their chance of finding permanent homes.The dogs were rescued on April 29 after a distress call alerted volunteers from Animal Shelter for Rescue Aid (AASRA). One of the animals later died from severe dehydration. Investigations subsequently led to the arrest of four caretakers and drivers associated with Calvary Temple in Miyapur on June 7 for engaging in breeding activities and abandoning the dogs after they had grown older and there was insufficient space to accommodate them.While the rescue operation drew widespread attention and generated at least 500 queries from prospective adopters, the animals are still waiting at a shelter because they cannot legally be adopted.“Until the chargesheet is filed and a court order is obtained, the dogs cannot be put up for adoption. It is a systemic delay because of which the dogs are suffering. A shelter is not a good place for dogs to stay for too long. They deserve better homes,” said Harsh Kishore Bhatnagar, founder of Shakuntala Society for Animal Welfare and Nature (SWAN).
