25 Jun 2017 | 06:57am IST
Panjim’s animal shelter victim of crossfire
PAWS alleges that CCP is harassing the animal shelter; CCP says PAWS are trespassers
Team Herald
PANJIM: A battle between PAWS (Panjim Animal Welfare Society) and CCP (Corporation of the City of Panaji) may result in the only animal shelter in Panjim shutting down. The Corporation has transferred six of the staffers from the centre and taken back two vehicles and one ambulance that had been given to PAWS.
PAWS Secretary Angela Qazi, addressing the media alleged that Mayor Surendra Furtado and CCP Commissioner Dipak Desai are harassing the shelter. “I don’t know whether we are going to manage in such a situation in the absence of trained staff. The organisation may be closed down soon,” Qazi said.
She said that the PAWS was founded in 1995 and since 2003 CCP was associated with it. With the support from the corporation the animal welfare centre was operational and serving Panjim.
Qazi alleged that the harassment began after she received a call from the Mayor on June 22 at 7.45 am to rescue a dog near his residence. “I replied that my staff comes at 9 am for duty and accordingly I will send them.” Qazi said that the staff arrived at the Mayor’s residence at 9.12 am but by then he had already arranged for the dog’s treatment. “For this reason CCP has taken away the staff and vehicles. How will I manage the Centre?” she asked.
CCP Commissioner Dipak Desai said PAWS has no contract with CCP and due to Qazi’s adamant nature the corporation initiated the action. “Land, shed, vehicles, staff, spending is of the Corporation and she works there independently and earns at our cost by working privately,” Desai said.
He added that CCP had sent her two notices to show the agreement or contract with the corporation but she didn’t do so. “She is a trespasser in our property. If she has any problem she should talk to the officials of CCP. She takes everything from us but is not working for us,” he said.
He said that during the President’s visit to Goa, she was requested to send staff to catch stray dogs at Raj Bhavan which she didn’t do. “I sent my staff and 24 dogs were trapped while she was replying that there were no dogs,” Desai said.
