Protectors no longer safe

Ranchi, Nov. 23: The famous Sonepur cattle fair in Bihar has established a disturbing link with the city. High pedigree pet dogs are being stolen from the capital to be sold there.

“Big dogs are in greater demand as they fetch a good price. They are also convenient as both the seller and buyer do not have to take the trouble of rearing a puppy,” said Alok Kumar Singh, a veterinary doctor.

In the past fortnight or so, a Great Dane, a female Labrador and a white Spitz were stolen from different areas of the capital.

While the Great Dane was stolen from Lalpur Chowk, the Labrador bitch was taken away from Kanke, under Gonda police station. The Spitz went missing from Morabadi.

If the children of the Kanke road family are inconsolable after their pet disappeared, another owner whose Pug was stolen a few months ago from the Sahay Compound announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for any information on it.

“The thefts are carried out by a cartel of sellers, trainers and dog breeders. These people are familiar with the nature of dogs. Hence, they target canines with whom they have interacted in some manner or the other while training or breeding,” Singh explained.

The familiarity eliminates the risk of being bitten by an ill-tempered dog. This also ensures that the dog to be stolen is of a good breed and is able to fetch a good price.

Gajanand Sahi, a senior Congressman of Patna and a dog lover, did not deny that dogs are often sold at Sonepur. “More than grown-up dogs, puppies are passed off as belonging to a high pedigree. And to convince prospective buyers these men keep on display a couple of, say, Labradors and Great Danes as ‘parents’ of the puppies,” he said over telephone from Patna.

The police are convinced of the racket, too.

“Although no dog owner has registered an FIR with us, it is quite possible that the stolen pet was taken to Sonepur cattle fair,” said Raj Kapoor, the officer in charge of Gonda police station.

Singh warned pet owners to keep an eye on their dogs and prevent them from getting too familiar with outsiders, particularly at the time of breeding.

“Quite often, owners of healthy dogs or bitches are approached for mating. If proper care is not taken, the breeder and others accompanying the bitch, grow familiar with the dog and later lure the dog away,” the doctor added.