GUWAHATI: The Chief Judicial Magistrate Court Kamrup Metro has allowed the return of a rescued Golden Retriever named Prince to his owner, Salimul Islam, after he was earlier taken into custody over allegations of abuse. While the decision adheres to legal precedents, it has raised concerns among animal welfare activists who worry about the dog’s future well-being.
ALSO READ: Youth Critically Injured After Allegedly Thrown From Guwahati’s Chandmari Flyover
On November 21, animal activists, supported by Dispur Police and PurrPaws Foundation, rescued Prince from Japorigog after videos surfaced showing the dog being abused. The videos reportedly depicted the owner, Salimul Islam, hitting the dog. The rescue operation, carried out on November 22, aimed to ensure Prince’s safety and recovery from his ordeal.
"Prince was in terrible condition. It was heartbreaking to see the abuse he suffered," said one of the rescuers.
On November 22, a rescuer involved in saving Prince reported receiving threatening phone calls. After the rescue operation, Hrishikesh Sharma, claiming to be associated with a political party, allegedly issued threats.
"The call came at 7:54 PM, and it was intimidating," the rescuer said. "It wasn’t just about Prince; it felt like a warning for the work I do as an animal rescuer."
On December 11, the CJM Court Kamrup Metro reviewed the case and directed that the dog be returned to Salimul Islam, considering his claim as the "absolute owner." The court referred to the Investigating Officer’s (I/O) report, which stated that Prince could be handed over to the owner under the condition that his health and behavior are monitored and that he is presented before the police or court whenever required.
Citing the Supreme Court’s judgment in Sunderbhai Ambalal Desai vs. State of Gujarat (2003), the court ruled that there was no legal obstacle in returning the dog to its owner, provided a bond was furnished to the I/O’s satisfaction.
While activists respect the court’s decision, they have expressed concerns about Prince’s future care.
Talking to GPlus, an activist who has been rescuing animals for eight years said, "We hope the owner will ensure Prince’s safety and well-being as directed by the court. It is essential that the dog gets the care he deserves after what he has been through. But we are against the decision because police did not cooperate with us."
