A Ragpicker’s Home for 35 Years, Dog Shelter Demolished in Delhi

“Kutton wali Amma’s” dog shelter demolished in Delhi’s Saket area

Pratima Devi feeds her dogs 4 time a day

(Photo: Srishti Tyagi/ The Quint)

Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) demolished Pratima Devi's makeshift animal shelter in Delhi's Saket area on 30 October 2017. She claims that she received no prior notice before demolition. the MCD gave her only 15 minutes to clear the place before a bulldozer ran over and converted it into rubble. She also said many of her animals have gone missing, and a couple of them died too.

She is staying with her animals since 1984. Devi is a rag picker and struggles to make ends meet. But she makes sure that all her dogs receive at least three meals a day. Pratima Devi not only takes care of the food, but also takes care of their medical needs. All the dogs are clean, free of ticks, and vaccinated

Many dog lovers contribute and help Devi, also known as “Kutton wali Amma”, maintain such a large number of dogs.

Pratima Devi serves three-four meal per day to all her pets(Photo: Srishti Tyagi/ The Quint)

Rubble which was home to Devi for the last 35 years; behind PVR Anupam Saket(Photo: Srishti Tyagi/ The Quint)

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation said that they demolished her shanty because of the multiple complaints that they received from local residents and shopkeepers of the neighbouring area, about Devi's encroachment and selling drugs to small children.

Animal rights activists Ambika Shukla says that the dogs are sterilised and cause no danger to the community. In fact, they protect the community from stray, unhealthy dogs.

Animal lovers and activists came together to help Devi and her dogs(Photo: Srishti Tyagi/ The Quint)

Pratima Devi says she loves these dogs more than her children(Photo: Srishti Tyagi/ The Quint)

Many shopkeepers at PVR Anupam complex, which is opposite the demolished area, hold a mixed opinion. While few people say that dogs bite and scare most of their customers, which adversely affect their business, other say that dogs are hardly a nuisance in the area. It's the drug peddling that is ruining the environment

Animal activists and dog lovers have helped Devi set up tarpaulin shelters for herself and the dogs.

Video Editor: Mohd Ibrahim