Torture of stray dogs: Woman bears witness

PANAJI: A resident of St Inez has come forward as a witness in the case of inhumane treatment to stray dogs which was highlighted by TOI on Friday. Olga Pinto, who witnessed security guards fatally wounding stray dogs, broke her silence and decided to gave her statement to the Panaji police on Saturday.
It may be noted that the Panaji police on Thursday registered a case against unknown persons under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act for grievously injuring a street dog.The complaint was lodged by Angela Kazi of the People for Animal Welfare Society.
"The perpetrators of the crime use a sharp, thin metal ring with a long handle, which lies with the baiter. Food is placed inside the ring and when the dog goes to eat the food, the baiter pulls the ring, trapping the dog. When the dog tries to escape, it gets grievously injured," she said, adding, "The bleeding animal is often left to die."
Kazi added that this was the third such case which has come to their notice. Panaji police had earlier registered a case against a Caranzalem couple for injuring a street dog in a similar fashion. Police sources said that in one of the cases, the security guards informed them that they had acted on the instructions of flat owners.
After TOI reported the story, Pinto, who flat owners suspected was getting in touch with PAWS, alleged that she is being targeted. "Somebody threw garbage at her door and the signboard of her shop was broken," Kazi said.