Animal rights activists assembled at Zero Point on Sunday to protest the recent shooting of a stray dog on Kazi Road, calling for immediate action against animal cruelty. The rally, spearheaded by Guardian of Sikkim, People for Animals, and Citizens Animal Shelter Sikkim, aimed to spotlight the brutal act and advocate for justice. The controversy erupted following the discovery of a 3-4-year-old stray dog with a gunshot wound to its chest on July 19.
Initially buried in haste, the dog’s body was later exhumed after an anonymous tip and examined at a local polyclinic, confirming it had been shot. Karma D. Youtso, Founder Member of Guardian of Sikkim, voiced her distress at the rally, stating, “I am here as a human being denouncing cruelty towards animals. The act of killing an animal in such a manner is cowardly. Animals, though they cannot speak, have lives, feelings, and emotions. We need to demonstrate to the youth that respect for all life is fundamental.”Another participant emphasized that the rally was not limited to the Kazi Road incident but represented a broader campaign against all forms of animal abuse. “Animals across the region are poisoned, killed, and mistreated.
Our goal is to elevate this cause to the national stage to stress the significance of animal welfare,” the activist said. Despite an ongoing investigation into the Kazi Road shooting, frustration was voiced over the lack of transparency. “We are in the dark about the details of the investigation. We should at least be informed about its progress,” an activist remarked. The rally concluded with a resounding call for stricter enforcement of animal rights laws and a ban on unlicensed weapons, which are increasingly used to inflict harm on animals. “We demand justice for this incident. Animal rights are as crucial as human rights. We must start by ensuring animals are properly cared for and receive necessary medical attention,” the activists concluded.
