Updates of the meeting held on 09/24/2011
Meeting conducted by Vaasanti Vadi of PFA, Amala of BCH and Dr.Lakshmi.
Volunteer list that attended.
1) Prashant Goshal
2) Kalyan Krishna
3) Vijaya Devi
4) Roshan Kanga
5) Manoj Khurana
6) Rindha Reddy
7) Pradeep Nair
8) Mahesh Agarwal
9) Srinivas
10) Hema
11) Amar
12) Nita
13) Abhinay
14) Vinay
15) Anusha
16) Parvez Baria
17) Shireen Baria
18) Ramesh
19) Venkat
20) Srinivas (owner of a Goshala)
21) Srinivas’s assistant
4 or 5 more
Meeting commenced a 10:30 vs the 9:30 time due to transport issues in view of Telangana Bandh for 3 days. Several Volunteers were unable to attend due to Bandh.
Amala:
The conditions in GHMC are not as bad as the slaughter houses where the animals are truly facing brutal conditions.
She attributed her lack of access for the GHMC Issue, to her personal family problems and involvement with the campaign and awareness against animal sacrifices in a district called Venkatgiri. But she redirected everyone to contact Kumari at Blue Cross.
Amala stated that she is not answerable to the questions posed to her (via Emails) about the GHMC neglect. Her line of command is the Chairman who she is answerable to only. Her AWBI membership, It is a honorary post. AWBI is just an advisory board and doesn’t have any power. AWBI doesn’t even have money to pay current bills.
She mentioned that Chengicherla Slaughter house follows no rule of Humane Slaughter and breaks every rule. Whereas one Slaughter House, Alkabeer, follows humane slaughter.
Asked volunteers to get trained from National Institute for Animal Welfare, Haryana to better understand ABC.
When she got evidence from others as well as Padmaja, she showed the commissioner the next day.
Amala mentioned she resigned 5 times. But resignation not accepted by AWBI.
She offers her help to anyone who asks for it.
Round of questions: Amala offered to answer only 3 questions
Q) Rindha Reddy : Asked if capturing all dogs and releasing in a secured location help to resolve the issue
A) No. As per the ABC program this would create a vacuum to only be filled by dogs from other areas and states maybe. Since Dogs are territorial they would only end up hurting each other in this location aswell.
Q) Srinivas: Blamed a Mr. Mahesh Aggarwal for misappropriating funds by collecting them in the name of animal welfare
Followed an argument between Mr.Agarwal and Srinivas. Amala intervened to provide help after the meeting.
Meeting was then taken over by Vaasanti Vadi:
Vaasanthi stated she is responsible for the AB program in Hyderabad.
Agrees to the atrocities and irregularities in the GHMC dog pounds.
Stressed on awareness and effectiveness of the ABC program.
States GHMC concentrated mainly on complaints rather than ABC program.
She also confirmed volunteers reports that dogs were Euthanized early in the morning to escape being caught.
Informed the contribution of dog population to the Eco system as they eat the garbage and keeping the streets clean.
Dr Lakshmi took over:
Further elaborated the ABC program and also mentioned or acknowledged GHMC irregularities
Proposed a call center with volunteers attending the calls, will help the dogs not coming to pound in first place. The volunteers should attend the complaint and spread awareness. Some cases will solve on phone itself.
Call centre trainings will be given, to handle complaint calls.
Other Volunteer Questions:
Will the new shelters be only ABC centers or animal shelters.
Ans. Only ABC centers.
When is the HSI team expected in Hyderabad?
Ans. Shortly but don’t know when.
What are duties of Volunteer committee?
Ans. Will have a checklist and volunteers have to prepare that reports and submit it to Commissioner. Checklist will be given shortly.
Q: Since it would be difficult for people with pets back home to attend the week long training in Haryana is there a possibility of them coming here to train?
Ans: No, Every individual have to go by their own expense to Haryana to the Institute to take training. The accomodation and food expenses will be covered by the institute.
Volunteer meeting will be held Monthly henceforth.
