Indian army dogs and horses are being senselessly killed when they get too old to serve. The head of India’s main animal welfare board just complained to the Defence Ministry, but hewon’t win a lifeline for these amazing animals unless huge numbers of us join his call. Add your name, then share widely:
Dear friends,
It’s a brutal use-and-throw policy -- Indian army dogs and horses dedicate their lives to service. But the minute they grow old or fail a fitness test, the army kills them!
The head of India’s main animal welfare board, an ex-Army man himself, is now questioning this cruel and senseless policy. But the Defence Ministry could ignore his letter unless thousands of us back his call. Thesebrave animals regularly save citizens’ lives, and should be given medals, not death sentences.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has spoken out for “voteless animals” before. Now he can ensure we don’t betray our best friends. Let’s rush to hit 20,000 signers. We’ll then march with people and pets to his office to deliver our message. Sign now and tell others:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_army_dogs_rb/?bhXdHbb&v=60562
For years these animals were killed in secrecy, but a Right To Information query just blew the lid off the army’s inhumane methods. Army dogs train from the time they are puppies, serving the world’s third largest army in critical areas like explosive detection, guarding bases, and finding disaster victims -- most recently during the tragedy in Nepal. But after a lifetime of saving lives, only the affection of individual soldiers or trainers can ensure they don’t meet the fate set out by official policy -- a death sentence when they are not deemed useful anymore.
The law only allows killing animals under very rare circumstances such as an incurable disease. But these army-owned animals are not covered under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act -- which is why the army gets away with murder.
India is slowly increasing its defence budget -- this year it is 2.47 trillion rupees! Yet animal rights groups are shocked that the army can’t spare a small amount of that budget to shelter these animals once they are old and unfit.
Now this scandal is finally in the open, let’s speak up for the silent pain of these intelligent creatures, and ensure they are treated well, not discarded like broken equipment. Join now and forward this email:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_army_dogs_rb/?bhXdHbb&v=60562
Our community stands for the protection of all of nature's unique species -- whether it's standing up to protect the delicate coral in the Great Barrier Reef from unchecked mining or calling for a massive marine park for the ocean's myriad species. Let’s unite our voices now for the innocent and loyal animals who serve the Indian army day in and day out till they have the strength.
With hope and determination,
Risalat, Alex, Emma and the rest of the Avaaz team
More Information:
Retirement means death for Army’s Canine Comrades (Times of India)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Retirement-means-death-for-Armys-canine-comrades/articleshow/47520753.cms
Indian Army Dogs Euthanised after Retirement (Huffington Post)
http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2015/06/04/indian-army-dogs-euthanised-after-retirement_n_7507820.html
Army urged to re-think policy of euthanising dogs (Times of India)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Army-urged-to-re-think-policy-of-euthanising-dogs/articlesh...
Parrikar lends his voice to rights of ‘voteless animals’ (Times of India)
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDEyLzExLzIxI0FyMDE0MDE
India increases military budget by 11% to nearly $40 billion (WSJ)
http://www.wsj.com/articles/india-increases-military-budget-by-11-to-nearly-40-billion-1425124095
The Prevention of Cruelty To Animals Act, 1960 (GoI)
http://moef.gov.in/legis/awbi/awbi01.html
