Cash-strapped Kengeri veterinary hospital unable to do much for injured animals
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| Kengeri Government Veterinary Hospiatal |
By Rajnandini Ghosh
BANGALORE (Jan. 19)—A visit to the Kengeri Government Veterinary Hospital shows that its lack of funds has tied the hands of the veterinarians there.
Walking down the streets near Kengeri Satellite Town, off the Mysore Road highway leading into Bangalore we often come across a bird at the side of the road with its wing hurt, a pup whining with its leg broken or cattle too unwell to move.
We want to stop, pick it up and see it heal.
The closest relief is available at the Kengeri Government Veterinary Hospital, run by Dr. Muthhaiya and his assistant Dr. Ravindra.
But is the relief good enough?
Raghu, a student of R.V Engineering College, ran over a puppy with his car two months back. One of its hind legs was crushed.
Raghu hurriedly took the puppy to the Kengeri Hospital only to find that it did not have enough apparatus to operate on it.
Dr. Muthhaiya instructed Raghu to take the pup to People for Animals (PFA) on the Uttarahalli Road, where he was told that PFA only helps wild animals caught in the city.
The other option that might have been able to save the pup was Compassion Unlimited plus Action (CUPA).
CUPA in Hebbal is very far and not many people will bother to take a stray pup that far.
Raghu didn’t
Raghu is not the only one. There are many in and around Kengeri who want to help their pets or even animals on the streets, but do not know where to go.
Dr. Muthhaiya said: “We can’t do anything. There is poor infrastructure and inadequate supply of medicine from the panchayat.”
“The only government hospital which can perform surgeries is the one in Hebbal, but that is too far for people to go from here,” he added.
Panchayat Development Officer P.S. Loknath was unavailable for comment. His personal assistant said, “No funds.”
Doesn’t this sound familiar? Of course it does. This is one reason that is cited for almost every issue in the city.
“I feel helpless. I can see the animal dying, but there is nothing much that I can do,” Mutthaiya said.
With all these difficulties to overcome, the effort is yet being made, by people like Dr. Muthhaiya.
Several other volunteers work hard and long, to ensure that our fellow creatures, which are injured or distressed, are taken care of.
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