Indore dog among finalists of cutest dog contest

After scanning through hundreds of photographs of lovable Indian "community dogs" as well as their rescue stories, Rambo has made it to the finals of third annual Cutest Indian Dog Alive contest.

Updated on: Sep 16, 2014, 21:25:40 IST

Hindustan Times | By Ritesh Mishra, Indore

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After scanning through hundreds of photographs of lovable Indian "community dogs" as well as their rescue stories, Rambo of Indore, has made it to the finals of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) third annual Cutest Indian Dog Alive contest.

The proud owner of the dog is Ishaan Nair. Rambo and Ishaan first met when Rambo's mother, a stray dog, gave birth to six puppies on the road in front of Ishaan's home. Now, all the dogs are part of Ishaan's household.

"My family rushed to help the mother with delivery, gave her food and treated her as a member of our own family. Since then, she and the pups have been the biggest part of my family," said Ishaan.

"Rambo, his siblings and their mother are lucky dogs, and they have returned the favour of being rescued by bringing much love and joy into Ishaan's life," says PETA CEO Poorva Joshipura. "All rescued dogs are already winners because their lives were saved by people who love them for who they are," she added.

The lucky pup who wins the Cutest Indian Dog Alive title will receive a "100% Desi Dog" doggie T-shirt, and his or her guardian will receive a certificate, a "My Dog Is a Rescue" T-shirt and an autographed copy of PETA India founder Ingrid Newkirk's book Let's Have a Dog Party!

The second- and third-place winners will also receive prizes, and all three top placers will receive participation certificates and appear in an upcoming issue of Animal Times, PETA India's magazine for members.

PETA has urged prospective guardians to adopt an Indian "community animal" from the streets or an animal shelter rather than buying puppies or kittens sold in pet shops.

Pet shops and breeders often keep animals in dismal conditions, and because pedigree dogs are bred for certain exaggerated physical traits, such as long ears and drooping backs, many foreign breeds of dogs suffer from issues ranging from breathing problems, cancer and heart disease to bleeding disorders, skeletal malformation and eye problems.

In contrast, Indian "community dogs" are healthier and more robust than their "purebred" cousins are.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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