Carcasses Of Several Animals Found At Ex-Professor’s Farmhouse In Mumbai

A retired professor of a renowned university in western Maharashtra has been booked for animal cruelty after carcasses of several animals were found at his farmhouse in Panvel. Besides of this, 13 emaciated animals were rescued from unhygienic conditions.

The incident has come to light on Sunday, when animal rights activists visited the farmhouse of Suhas Sawant, a recent retiree, where he kept over 100 different animals, following a tip-off that he was allegedly not taking care of them.

The animals were not only being kept in unhygienic conditions but were also being starved.

The activists registered an FIR against Sawant at New Panvel Police station under sections 270 (a malignant act likely to spread a dangerous infection) and 429 (mischief by killing or maiming an animal) of the IPC, as well as 11(1) A, D, C, H and Z of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

“We registered a case after conducting a panchnama of the site and postmortem examinations of the animals,” said a police officer.

Chetan Sharma, animal rights activist, said the property used to house over 150 animals last year.

“But their number dropped to around 100 after following deaths due to negligence.”

An FIR was registered by activists from Navi Mumbai three months ago following a similar visit to the farmhouse, but no action was taken, said Sharma.

“We recently received information that a horse, several goats, two cats and a breed of Indian dog had died on the premises owing to negligence, after which we went for an inspection.”

Sharma said the sight left them shaken.

“The property was filled with the stench of rotting bodies. There were critically emaciated and sick animals. Dirty bowls and piles of excreta were strewn across the area.”

He said a horse, five sheep, three goats, a cow and three cats were rescued, but their condition is critical.

“Five dogs and six puppies are yet to be rescued.”

Sections 270 and 429 attract jail terms of up to two years and five years, respectively. Conviction under provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act can get an offender a jail term of three months.

Reference: Mumbai MIrror

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