A dog imported as cargo from Australia through a southeast Asian airline has been stuck at the IGI airport for over a month after it was “cruelly abandoned” by its owner, a person to whom it was sent. According to DIAL, the operator of the
New Delhi IGI airport, the dog was imported as cargo through a southeast Asian airline on November 1. According to DIAL, various government agencies have concluded that the concerned airline had “not followed the proper procedure required for import of live animals into India” and that this was why the government agencies had (earlier) “refused to clear the release of the dog”. But DIAL said that the dog will now soon be handed over to animal-welfare activist Maneka Gandhi following “co-operation” by the government agencies.
DIAL said the dog is being fed and cared for by employees of both DIAL as well as cargo terminal operator Celebi at the airport and added that the dog is “in fine health” and “not languishing”. According to DIAL, the man to whom the dog was sent told the customs department on November 22 that he has formally abandoned the dog. DIAL also stated that the airline which transported the dog has “refused to accept responsibility”. DIAL said government agencies had concluded that the airline had agreed to transport the dog even though mandatory documentation for import of livestock into India was lacking and that the government agencies had (earlier) maintained that “the dog needs to be deported to its port of origin (Australia)” by the airline.
According to DIAL, the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) stated that “the ownership of the dog is doubtful and the dog cannot be considered under the category of import of pets under baggage as per Customs Circular no 94/2002”.