What was meant to be a refuge for injured and stray dogs in Bhandewadi has turned into a death trap. Data released under the RTI paints a chilling picture: of the 4,043 dogs admitted to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) dog shelter over the last four years, 2,361 never made it out alive. That’s a staggering 60% death rate, raising furious questions from animal lovers: is this really a shelter, or a death center?
On paper, the facility provides treatment, food, and care. In reality, activists allege otherwise. Complaints range from absent veterinarians, negligent staff, and CCTV cameras deliberately kept switched off, to sick and aggressive dogs being caged together. Puppies are left vulnerable, treatment is half-hearted, and the daily food spend is a meager ₹15–20 per dog – barely enough for survival.
Shockingly, even sterilization surgeries have turned fatal. Improper anesthesia and poor post-operative care have allegedly caused infections and deaths. “The shelter is running on apathy and paperwork, not compassion,” activists fume.
Year-wise deaths expose the grim pattern:
2021-22: 323
2022-23: 856
2023-24: 888
2024-25: 295 (till date)
Animal rights groups are now demanding transparency: biometric attendance for staff, 24/7 CCTV monitoring, an independent monitoring committee, and open access for animal welfare workers. Without urgent reforms, they warn, the so-called shelter will continue to operate as a silent slaughterhouse.
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