THANE: Animal welfare officials raided several pet shops and clinics in Mumbra region over the weekend to find that those who have been treating animals for many years have no valid qualification to do so. These actions were initiated after a labrador fell on and killed a four-year-old girl in August.

Vijay Rangare, government animal welfare official and president of People for Animals, an NGO in Mumbai, has come to know of illegal activities and cases of gross negligence in handling animals at veterinary clinics in Mumbra. He identified them and carried out surprise raids with his team over the weekend. He went to a clinic, posing as a client with his dog, where the veterinarian prescribed him medication. He said: “There are two pet stores and grooming centers that treat animals pretending to be doctors. When asked for valid certifications, they were unable to provide any. A pharmacy graduate was administering medicine as a veterinary doctor at one of the clinics, saying it was part of a social initiative. Rangare said the medications provided to her dog were ineffective in improving the animal’s health. He expressed concern that the health department of the Thane municipal corporation has not carried out any checks on these establishments run by people without qualifications.

Rangare immediately filed a complaint at the Mumbra police station and then approached the Maharashtra State Veterinary Council to verify the authenticity of these clinics before taking any action.

Anil Shinde, senior police inspector at Mumbra police station, said, “The animal welfare officer informed us about the clinics. But we need a letter from the Maharashtra State Veterinary Council regarding the illegal activities before we can file an FIR in this case. In the meantime, I urge residents not to engage in any activities that are harmful to area animals. If they witness illegal actions, they do not hesitate to contact us.

The action was prompted by a tragic incident in August in which a four-year-old girl, Shahabanu Shaikh, died after a dog fell on her from the terrace of a five-story building. The dog’s owner was engaged in illegal breeding and had not obtained the necessary municipal permits to keep dogs. He was arrested by the Mumbra police for negligence leading to the girl’s death, but was later released on bail.