Stray Dogs Face Survival Challenge in Flooded Dhapa Pound, Kolkata

Heavy Rain Puts 140 Dogs in Danger

Heavy rain hit Kolkata on Friday night. The Dhapa dog pound flooded, putting around 140 stray dogs at risk. Unfortunately, no senior KMC officials came to help. The dogs struggled to survive.

Why Were the Dogs There?

• Most dogs were picked up from streets across 144 KMC wards.
• They were moved to the pound for sterilization.
• Others were brought in for treatment after being rescued.

Sleepless Night for Staff

The stormwater flooded the entire area. It even entered the kennels, scaring the animals. Dog attendants, security guards, and pump operators spent a sleepless night helping.

The situation was critical until Saturday afternoon. The nearby area has poor drainage, so the water took time to recede.

Where Were the Senior Officials?

A dog pound attendant was surprised. No senior KMC officials were present. Even the veterinary officer, who should look after the dog pound, was absent on Saturday.

“We were helpless. We had no clear instructions from senior officials. A veterinary doctor must check the dogs’ health before we can sterilize and release them,” said an attendant.

Dhapa Dog Pound’s Location Adds to the Problem

The Dhapa dog pound is in a low-lying area. Stormwater from nearby neighborhoods flows into it. The pound gets flooded every monsoon.

“Sensing danger, the dogs started barking loudly. We called pump operators to remove the water. Two heavy-duty pumps were used. This helped the water recede temporarily,” said a civic employee.

What Needs to Be Done?

“We need to upgrade the drainage infrastructure of the Dhapa dog pound immediately,” said a civic official.