Udupi: Fifth Sweep of Notorious Hoarder Leads to FIR, Removal of Cages, and Rescue of 16 More Animals After PETA India’s Push
After repeated non-compliances of multiple closure orders from Saligrama Pattana Panchayat, Animal Husbandry Department (AHD) and the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate (DC & DM) that have resulted in hundreds of animals suffering in a hoarding hellhole misnamed “Animal Rescue Centre” run by Mr Sudhindra Aithal in Saligrama, Udupi, a fifth raid was conducted on Thursday to remove cages and sixteen more animals. Hoarders often masquerade as animal shelters but are people who suffer a mental compulsion to collect and keep large numbers of animals they are unable to care for, resulting in filth, public nuisance, hunger, thirst, disease and enormous animal suffering. Over 300 animals have been rescued from this hoarding facility over five raids.
The Kota Police Station registered an FIR under Sections 3 and 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, based on a complaint submitted by the AHD on the directions of the DC & DM and the Superintendent of Police (SP) regarding non-compliance of a notice issued to Mr Aithal to remove all the cages. This was again, based on the DC & DM’s instructions in order to prevent him from hoarding more animals. PETA India supported the Udupi Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), the Udupi Police, the Saligrama Pattana Panchayat, and the AHD in removing every cage that had been used to hoard and torment animals, except for three that are cemented into the facility. The operation also led to the rescue of 16 more animals, including 13 puppies, two kittens, and a semi-adult dog. All seized cages were moved to the Kota Police Station premises after removal. This is despite a raid having just been conducted on 27 September, where 100 animals were removed, highlighting Mr Aithal’s relentless psychological compulsion to hoard animals.
The total 300+ animals who have been rescued from this hoarder were found severely dehydrated and weak, with viral infections, eye problems, injuries, parasitic infestations and covered in their own filth. Many were bone-thin, and many suffered from deadly contagious diseases like Canine Distemper, Parvovirus and Feline Herpesvirus. The species removed included dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, non-native endangered species, hamsters, love birds and wildlife such as cobras, civet cats, black kites, Indian parakeets, and bonnet macaques.
Mr Aithal, who operates this facility, has a well-documented history of repeatedly acquiring and confining wildlife and other animals in extremely unhygienic and inadequate conditions, despite multiple warnings, official notices, and orders. He also appeared to engage in wildlife trade and to sell animals to the public. On 8 January, a raid was conducted by the Kundapura Forest Division, pursuant to which a Preliminary Offence Report (POR) was registered, based on directions from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and the Chief Wildlife Warden, Karnataka, following a complaint received from PETA India about illegal possession and sale of endangered native wildlife. The species mentioned above, protected under Schedules I and II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, were found in illegal possession and kept in deplorable conditions during the January 8 raid. Despite a POR being registered in January, Mr Aithal was found in illegal possession of a cobra on 01 March and an Asian Koel with her two fledglings on 03 May. Complaints about both instances of illegal wildlife possession were made to the Kundapura Forest Division at the relevant time. These complaints are yet to be processed, and registration of POR is pending.
PETA India applauds all the authorities for taking strict action against this cruel and illegal facility, particularly for issuing directions for the registration of an FIR followed by the removal of all cages. We especially thank the Superintendent of Police (SP), Shri Hariram Shankar, IPS; the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate, Smt Swaroopa T.K., IAS; and the Chief Officer of Saligrama Pattana Panchayat, Shri Ajay Bhandarkar. PETA India strongly urges the public to avoid supporting breeders and pet stores, most of which are illegal, and to report hoarders who often purport to be rescuers but collect animals out of compulsion and then leave them to rot.
PETA India strongly urges the relevant authorities to take urgent decisive action by dismantling and permanently destroying the remaining permanent cage structures at the facility, and also to ensure the well-being of the animals deemed his own “livestock” but who are also being kept in deplorable conditions. This measure is essential to prevent further cruelty and to ensure that these structures are not once again filled with helpless animals subjected to overcrowding, neglect, and abuse.
Facilities that engage in the boarding, breeding, or selling of ‘pet’ animals are required to be registered with the state animal welfare board, as mandated under Rule 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017, and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018, framed under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
An order dated 26 May 2020 issued by the Commissioner of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department, Government of Karnataka, banned operations of unregistered dog breeding centres and pet shops in the state. Addressed to all district collectors and chairs of the district SPCAs, it mandates that all unregistered pet shops and dog breeding establishments not registered with the Karnataka Animal Welfare Board (KAWB) be banned from operating, in accordance with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018.
