PFA sting operation busts betting racket over dog fights

Incidents of betting over dog fights, an illegal practice, have come to light in the city. Some villagers in the Badshahpur area and Sector 47 are allegedly involved in the business.

Dogs often sustain serious injuries, while some die during such fights. The acts contravene the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Public Gambling Act.

The matter was unearthed by the People for Animals (PFA) during a sting operation on Tuesday after which it lodged a complaint with Gurgaon police commissioner KK Sindhu.

PFA representative and complainant Amit Chaudhary alleged that a dog fight was scheduled to be held near Badshahpur village on Thursday. Posing as a prospective client, the HT reporter called up Anil, the alleged ring leader of the trade.

Confirming that he organises dog fights in Gurgaon and elsewhere, Anil said, “We held one at a village farm in Jhajjar district yesterday.” He further stated that the fights ranged between Rs 1,100 to Rs 26,000.

Anil, who has been into the business from the past three years, said that he owned six Pakistani Bully dogs and could arrange for more if required. “I get these dogs for Rs 20, 000 from Fazilka district on the India-Pakistan border,” he said.

HT reviewed the compact disk (CD) with the recorded audio conversation that the PFA activist had with Anil. The CD confirmed that the illegal business was in practice.

Asked whether he planned to hold such fights in Gurgaon, Anil said, “It depends on the clients. We arranged a dog fight in Gurgaon’s Wazirabad village a few months ago. It was held secretly at a farm house.”

Though Anil fears that information about the practice may reach the media, he allegedly admitted that he enjoys the patronage of local police officials to hold dog fights. "The local SHO has to be taken into confidence. So far, we have never been questioned. We only fear that the media doesn’t get to know about it," he added.

The police are yet to question Anil about his alleged involvement in the illegal practice.

Meanwhile, Parliamentarian and PFA president Maneka Gandhi, who raised the issue with the city police commissioner, said. “I haven’t got a favourable response. I will speak to the state home secretary.”

Police commissioner KK Sindhu said he had forwarded the complaint to the DCP concerned.