Stray dogs culled at auto plant

CHENNAI: Seven stray dogs were allegedly shot and killed by gypsies hired by an automobile factory in Oragadam, ahead of the opening of their new plant next week. According to Blue Cross of India officials, the carcasses were later buried about 50 feet away from the fence of the company’s premises. “Reliable sources in the company informed us that four gypsies with firearms shot down these animals in the morning,” said Dawn Williams, General Manager of the Blue Cross, an NGO.“On reaching the site, we found a tractor driver attempting to dispose of the remains inside a deep mud pit,” said Williams. Another volunteer with the team claimed that they found animal carcasses at the bottom of the pit covered with garbage. Raviraj (name changed), an employee of the company, who tipped off the BCI, said: “Stray dogs have always roamed the factory premises. Now that the management is preparing to open a new plant next month, we learnt that they had paid narikuruvas (gypsies) to shoot these dogs.”Due to the heavy rains during the day, the Blue Cross team could not conduct extensive searches. However, Williams said, “These animal bodies will be taken to the Veterinary College at Vepery for post-mortem as proof of this cruelty.” Following a police complaint, an FIR has been filed at Oragadam police station, police officials confirmed. No action has been taken so far.