Agartala, Feb 3: Agartala has been gripped by growing concern following a series of reports about street dogs disappearing from multiple neighbourhoods, prompting animal welfare groups to suspect illegal removals being carried out under the guise of sterilisation programmes. The incidents, reported over the past few days, have alarmed activists who fear that unidentified individuals may be exploiting the name of non-governmental organisations to unlawfully capture dogs.
According to animal welfare activist Wrihbed Dutta of Pawsome NGO, several complaints have surfaced from dog lovers across the city, alleging that unknown persons have been seen collecting street dogs in jute bags from different localities. When confronted by residents, these individuals reportedly claimed to be associated with NGOs involved in animal sterilisation. Pawsome NGO, however, has firmly denied any such involvement, stating that it does not use jute bags or similar methods for handling dogs.
Dutta said that restraining adult dogs in jute bags is both unsafe and inhumane, and no legitimate animal welfare organisation follows such practices. He added that the method itself has raised serious suspicion and suggested that people hostile towards street dogs may be misusing the identity of NGOs to remove animals from their usual territories. In response, Pawsome has decided to file a formal complaint with the police and has placed its volunteers on alert, with teams conducting late-night patrols in sensitive areas to deter further incidents.
Similar apprehensions have been voiced by another Agartala-based organisation, K Nine NGO, which issued a public alert through social media. The group highlighted what it described as a disturbing increase in dog smuggling following a recent Supreme Court ruling related to street dogs. K Nine said it regularly receives messages about such incidents and alleged that individuals are openly picking up dogs while falsely claiming NGO affiliation.
Clarifying its position, K Nine stated that its rescue operations are limited strictly to animals that are sick, injured or critically ill, and that it does not remove healthy street dogs. The organisation warned that illegal pickups are fuelling public mistrust and undermining the credibility of genuine animal welfare efforts at a time when resources are already stretched.
Local residents have also echoed these concerns. Dog lover Dibyendu Chakma said several street dogs from his area have gone missing, particularly during early morning hours, and appealed to the public to remain alert and spread awareness.
Animal welfare groups have now called for coordinated action involving citizens, the police and the administration to investigate the disappearances, safeguard street dogs and ensure that bona fide rescue organisations are not discredited by the actions of impostors operating under false pretences.
