Jalandhar, June 3
Despite the ban, dogfights and Greyhound races are being reportedly run in certain border districts in connivance with the police and politically well-connected persons. The well-organised racket is run from sprawling farmhouses in remote areas.

Dogs of various breeds are smuggled from Pakistan through Haryana’s Fatehabad and Hisar districts and Punjab’s border districts. The Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) has announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for information on persons involved in the illegal trade.

Alokparna Sengupta, the federation’s campaign coordinator, said complaints have been lodged with IGP Jagdish K Mittal, Muhammad Akil, Haryana IGP, and Maj Gen (retd) RM Kharab, Chairman, Animal Welfare Board of India, against certain suspects. “We have demanded action against them,” said Sengupta.

Arpan Sharma, chief executive officer, FIAPO, said photographs (at least 30) of dogfights posted by a Kotkapura-based suspect were believed to be taken in Haryana.

“The suspect has mentioned that the photos were of Surewala and Moga areas, which clearly shows that the racket is flourishing in Punjab,” he said.

Dr Sandeep Jain, Care of Animals and Protection of Environment (CAPE), India, said this was the most “barbaric and bloody game that involves betting.” He said 
those behind the trade bought ferocious breeds from Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“A cognizable offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, anybody providing land for dogfights is also an offender,” Jain said.

A dogfight was held in the Badshahpur area of Gurgaon on January 26 which was stopped on the intervention of animal welfare activists and the police.