A pet owner from Ludhiana has accused Indian Railways of serious negligence in transporting his four Labrador Retrievers to Pune last month, claiming that one dog died during the journey and the other three fell ill. The situation worsened when the family was forced to remove the deceased animal at Jhansi station, according to the owner.
Incident Details
Balbir Singh, who had traveled to Pune for his sister's wedding, stated that the incident occurred on April 19. Despite pursuing the matter for weeks, he has not received a satisfactory response from railway authorities. The four Labradors were booked in the brake van of the Jhelum Express. Singh approached railway officials in Ludhiana for guidance but was redirected to an intermediary and a private animal transporter. They were assured that the dogs would be placed in separate cages or in a sufficiently large enclosure.
Allegations of Poor Conditions
However, Singh alleged that journey videos showed two large Labradors confined to a single cage. At the station, there was no air-conditioned brake van, nor were there two cages. The available cage was far smaller than what railway staff had assured. The compartment appeared unhygienic, despite the dogs being certified fit before the journey. After reaching Pune, three dogs developed high fever, and one died near Jhansi. The family became aware of the death only when they checked on the animals. Singh alleged that railway staff did not inform them about the animal's condition, despite later claiming the dog had been barking continuously.
Disposal of the Body
Railway personnel insisted that the body be removed at Jhansi station, despite the family's request to take it to Pune for final rites. Singh claimed that his deceased dog was handled disrespectfully and thrown onto the platform. The family had to disembark at Jhansi and make their own arrangements.
Official Response
Singh approached animal rights activist and former Union minister Maneka Gandhi, who wrote to the railways minister in May seeking an inquiry. The matter gained attention after animal welfare organization People For Animals highlighted it on social media on May 29.
Manoj Kumar Singh, public relations officer of North Central Railway's Jhansi Division, said, "As per rules, a dead animal cannot be transported further under the same booking. The passenger discontinued his journey at Jhansi and the animal was handed over to him as per prescribed procedure. It was not thrown. The dog was properly attended to and handed over to its owner."
Hemant Kumar Behera, divisional commercial manager and PRO of Pune division, said the booking was made in Ludhiana. "One dog received by Pune division was handed over to the owner. Another reportedly died at an intermediate station under Jhansi division, which is outside the purview of Central Railway. Any investigation must be conducted by the divisions concerned. We are informed that Jhansi division has initiated a probe into the matter."
A spokesperson for the Firozpur railway division, which oversees Ludhiana railway station, said all prescribed procedures for booking and transporting the dogs were followed.
