An Irish journalist has taken formal action by lodging a police complaint in the coastal town of Gokarna, Karnataka, alleging repeated acts of severe cruelty against stray dogs in the area. The complaint, filed by Yvonne Moran, centers on a brutal incident involving a black stray dog near Gokarna beach.
Details of the Alleged Assault
In her complaint to the Gokarna police, Yvonne Moran stated that a black stray dog was brutally assaulted earlier this week near the Suryasagar Restaurant on Gokarna beach. The attack was so severe that the dog sustained serious injuries. Due to the gravity of its condition, the canine had to be transported to the Animal Rescue Centre (ARC) in Canacona, Goa, on December 17 for urgent medical treatment.
Moran, determined to seek justice, personally spent Rs 5,000 for the dog's medical treatment. Additionally, she incurred an expense of Rs 7,000 for a two-way taxi ride to facilitate the rescue and transfer of the injured animal.
Police Inquiry and Veterinary Findings
Police officials in Gokarna have confirmed receiving Moran's formal complaint and stated that an inquiry is currently underway. However, they revealed a twist in the preliminary findings. The photographs of the injured dog provided by the journalist were sent to the veterinary department for expert examination.
The doctors in their report indicated that the wounds on the dog were likely caused by biting from other dogs and not due to a human assault. This veterinary assessment presents a different perspective on the cause of the injuries.
A Pattern of Alleged Violence
Despite the veterinary report, the complainant insists this is not an isolated incident. Moran alleged that the same individuals were involved in a similar case two years ago, where another dog was beaten up, leading to severe injuries and the eventual death of the canine.
According to the complaint, the accused allegedly own land behind a restaurant on the beach where they keep poultry. Moran claims the stray dogs are targeted on the pretext that they attack the chickens. She further strengthened her complaint by stating that two foreign tourists had recently witnessed attempts to beat and kill stray dogs in the same area and had conveyed this information to her.
Proactively, Moran has shared photographs of the injured dog with animal welfare activists and informed the authorities at the Animal Rescue Centre about the entire incident. The case highlights ongoing tensions between local residents and stray animal populations in tourist areas, bringing the issue of animal welfare to the forefront in coastal Karnataka.
