The rescued golden retriever and labrador

PUNE: RESQ Charitable Trust rescued two dogs — a labrador and a golden retriever — and buried a pug on Sunday after being notified that their owner had fled from his house in Wagholi in early March.

Neha Panchamiya, managing committee member of Pune District SPCA and founder and president of RESQ Charitable Trust told TOI, “Covid-19 did not do this, but unspeakable human negligence did. The RESQ team received a call on Sunday morning about three dogs abandoned in a house in a society in Wagholi. The person who reported the incident told us that no one had been in the house for many days. I informed my seniors at the Pune District SPCA, the member secretary and district collector Naval Kishore Ram, who put me in touch with the superintendent of police, who gave us permission to enter and rescue the animals,” said Panchamiya.

The man had fled following the Covid-19 spread in Pune, said officials. When officials entered the house they found that the pug had died of starvation and dehydration, while the other two pets were severely emaciated.

Officials said the stranded labrador had a water jar stuck around its neck when it was found. They suspect the dog must have nosed into the jar in search of water.

Panchamiya said suitable action would be taken against the owner of these animals once s/he returns.

The labrador and the golden retriever have been medically examined for dehydration, tick fever and other underlying illnesses. They have been bathed, cleaned and fed and are currently safe at the RESQ Centre in Bavdhan.

SPCA’s message to public

You cannot contract Covid-19 from animals. If you notice abandoned animals in someone’s house without anyone coming to feed/clean them even once a day, please inform the Pune District SPCA (www.districtspca.com) or RESQ on 9890999111.

