Pune Gears Up: Pug Lovers to Protest for Ethical Treatment of Dogs
Pune, 25th April 2024: In Pune, advocates from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and the Hope For Paws Foundation are set to gather, donning pug costumes and oxygen masks, to raise awareness about the welfare issues surrounding foreign brachycephalic dog breeds, such as pugs. These breeds, characterized by their short skulls and flat faces, often encounter severe respiratory difficulties and may even require surgical intervention – a concern that compassionate individuals should heed by refraining from purchasing them.
Event Details:
Location: Outside Westside, Fergusson College Road, Pune, Maharashtra 411004
Date and Time: Friday, 26 April, noon sharp
“Breeders knowingly propagate dogs with anatomical deformities, compromising their health and longevity, solely for aesthetic appeal,” asserts Atharva Deshmukh, Campaigns Coordinator for PETA India. “PETA India advocates for prospective pet owners to eschew acquiring dogs from breeders and pet shops and instead embrace desi dogs from animal shelters, recognizing their affectionate nature and suitability as companions.”
Renowned for their prominence in Vodafone commercials, pugs, alongside other brachycephalic breeds like French and English bulldogs, Pekingese, Boston terriers, boxers, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, and shih tzus, suffer from brachycephalic syndrome. This debilitating condition manifests in panting, snorting, wheezing, and laboured breathing, significantly impairing their quality of life and impeding basic activities like play and exercise.
PETA India has petitioned Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala, to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017, to prohibit the breeding of these vulnerable breeds. Drawing inspiration from countries like Norway and the Netherlands, which have enacted restrictions and outright bans on the breeding and ownership of such breeds, PETA India aims to curb the proliferation of these animals and safeguard their well-being.
Additionally, PETA India emphasizes the illegitimacy of most pet shops and breeders, highlighting their non-registration with state animal welfare boards and their contribution to the animal overpopulation crisis. These establishments often neglect proper veterinary care, nutrition, exercise, and socialization for dogs, perpetuating a cycle of suffering and exploitation.
