Faith in humanity, lost and found.

I was in office today when I got a frantic call from a co-worker, telling me to come down the road because a dog was in distress. I had no idea just how much distress. This dog had been bound tightly by his legs his to a length of bamboo scaffolding, and left to die on the road (left photo). On closer inspection, I discovered a massive maggot wound at the nap of his neck. Luckily, I always carry maggot meds with me and liberally doused the wound. He didn’t seem aggressive, and for the life of me, I couldn’t rationalise why he’d been tortured like this. After calling the vet, I explained the situation and mentioned that the dog didn’t appear rabid, and that I couldn’t possibly leave it tethered to the bamboo in this manner till help arrived. I cut the dog loose, but he still wouldn’t get up and walk away. Instead, he stared at me listlessly. He did however drink plenty of water and seemed to be able to move his neck to snap at flies. My superwoman cousin arrived much later with the vet who said his shoulder blade was broken. He administered antibiotics for the gaping neck wound as well as painkillers for the shoulder pain. Because the Chhaya ambulance can’t come pick him up till tomorrow morning, we were faced with the impossible task of trying to find him a safe haven for the night. That’s when the amazingly generous people in the neighbouring residential building offered their garage tor this anonymous abused dog. They rallied together, provided him makeshift bedding, food, water--compassion that I have seen VERY rarely in Kolkata. We carried him to their garage and settled him in for the night with a sedative (right photo).

My colleague Meghna, (who discovered him in the first place) has just informed me that he finished his chicken and rice and is resting. I hope the little fighter has a peaceful night and can begin to recover from this most heinous act of animal cruelty. Thank you residents of Auckland Place for being bloody brilliant and helping to reverse the inhumanity that exists all around us.