Karwar: An Irish journalist has lodged a police complaint in Gokarna, alleging repeated acts of cruelty against stray dogs near the beach. In her complaint, Yvonne Moran alleged a black stray dog was brutally assaulted near Suryasagar Restaurant on Gokarna beach earlier this week. She claimed the dog sustained serious injuries and had to be moved to the Animal Rescue Centre (ARC) at Canacona in Goa on Dec 17 for treatment. Police officials in Gokarna confirmed receiving Moran’s complaint and that an inquiry was on. However, they said photographs provided by the journalist were sent to the veterinary department for examination and the doctors there said in their report the wounds on the dog were probably caused by biting from other dogs and not due to any assault. The complainant, though insisted this was not an isolated incident. Two years ago, another dog was beaten up by the same individuals, resulting in severe injuries from which the canine later died.According to the complainant, the accused allegedly own land behind a restaurant on the beach and keep poultry there. Moran alleged the dogs were targeted on the pretext that they attacked the chickens in the poultry. She further claimed two foreign tourists had recently witnessed attempts to beat and kill stray dogs in the area and had conveyed the same to her. The complainant said she had shared photographs of the injured dog with animal welfare activists and informed ARC authorities about the incident.Moran added she spent Rs 5,000 for the medical treatment of the injured dog, apart from spending another Rs 7,000 for a two-way taxi ride.
