Dec 2, 2010, 01.15am IST
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/To-please-a-babu-40-dogs-poisoned-to-death/articleshow/7025555.cms
NAGPUR:To ensure that the visit of a senior health secretary goes off without any barking, the senior medical officer of Government Mental Hospital on Koradi Road, Dr Abhay Gajbhiye, allegedly ordered the poisoning of stray dogs that would have caused a nuisance. Sources told TOI that at least 40 dogs were killed and clandestinely buried on the sprawling premises. Acting on a tip-off, activists of People For Animals, an NGO, arrived at the hospital at 8.30 pm on Wednesday. After some dillydallying, the hospital authorities allowed them and the police to inspect the premises at 10.30 pm. Quite late in the night, the activist hit upon the mass burial ground. "Some of the stray dogs had been cremated too," said an activist.
Though the number of stray dogs poisoned could not be determined as the investigations were still on at the time of going to press, sources informed that the "number could be more than 40". The hospital premises had become a favourite with stray dogs due to the food that was available in plenty at the shrine of Taj Bagh. Dr Gajbhijiye allegedly issued orders to his staff to get rid of the dogs before the secretary's visit. "The dogs were fed poisoned beef," said the source. "A few stray pigs too died after consuming the poisoned meat." PFA secretary Karishma Galani said, "It was two hours after reaching the spot that the authorities allowed us to enter the premises. We found wet, dug-up soil and discovered some bodies near the female wards.
They had sprayed nilgiri oil to keep away the stink." Dr Gajbhijiye pleaded innocence saying, "We are not guilty." Repeated attempts to contact PI Ravindra Bhogavde, who was present at the site after bodies were found, failed.
