POISONING dogs with strychnine: a most brutal death.

Poisoning is one of the most barbaric and cowardly crimes against animals as it causes them to suffer an extremely painful and agonizing death. It is a source of immense anguish and grief to the people who love them.

Here in the Kashmir valley, dogs are being poisoned with strychnine – a most horrific death agent. Victims suffer persistent seizures without losing consciousnes. The animal not only experiences excruciating pain but is also eventually choked to death.

As the poison set out in baits remains potent for years, it not only kills stay dogs but companion animals as well !!

Left over doses when improperly disposed (eg:, when workers fail to pick up uneaten baits) cause slow and painful death to other animals like cats, cows and birds in the valley ..... all creatures that make this beautiful city feel like heaven on earth.



When the fabled Egyptian queen Cleopatra decided to end her life, she reportedly used her slaves as guinea pigs to test the effects of many different poisonous plants.

Among the toxic sources she tried were belladonna , henbane , and the seed of the strychnine tree. No doubt the vain queen did not relish the prospect of death by strychnine, particularly as it is accompanied by violent spasms that distort the facial muscles into a hideous mask . Or perhaps it was the spectacular agony of strychnine poisoning that deterred her. In any event, Cleopatra finally rejected strychnine along with all the other plant sources and selected the deadly asp as her suicidal agent.

The stray dogs and puppies of Kashmir however are not that lucky.



Strangely enough, hardly any complaints are filed with the Police or the Animal welfare bodies here in Kashmir.

Maybe, most people are ignorant of the fact that cruelty to animals is a punishable offense. Those who do know this fact may simply find it useless to complain about it and would rather just accept it as 'a fact of life'. And some may even go so far as to openly justify this crime !!

The victims might disagree... if only they could have a say in it !!......

Death by strychnine poisoning is slow and agonizingly painful.
How can anyone let this happen?
AND MORE IMPORTANTLY - HOW CAN THE LAW ALLOW IT ?

Kim's story

July 2002.

I was then temporarily living in Barzulla (Srinagar, India). I was finding it hard to adapt to a new way of life which was obviously very different to the Western life style that I was normally used to. I was still a 'pariah' to the society here. The responsibility of work and a life away from home was taking its toll.

Kim was a young ‘pariah’ dog who first appeared in my garden when she was perhaps 10 weeks old. She made her presence felt after ‘stealing’ from the doorstep and running off with my shoe. By the time I rescued it, it was well and truly chewed!! Following this episode she made her presence felt each day in one way or another - and so I’m not sure who adopted who!! Her endearing ways and sweet nature brought her even closer to my heart. I quickly gained the trust of my little semi-wild friend and she allowed me to pet, brush, de-flea and play with her. To my eyes, she was the most beautiful pup that I had ever seen. She soon became quite tall, her legs long, her muzzle resembling a small version of a German Shepherd dog - but with small floppy ears and her colour was sandy to rust with some black. Of course - a mixture!!

Kim slowly began to loose her nervous hide and also enjoyed human company while demonstrating herself to be a bright intelligent little dog. With care she began to look like a dog who actually belonged to someone instead of the 'pariah' puppy she once was.

One day towards the end of the summer, I heard her yelping outside on the veranda where she slept. By the time I came out out the house, she had gone. I searched for her all day long. By mid-afternoon the sun was scorching hot when I finally discovered her. She was lying at the back of a tunnel under the steps of the front door, badly bitten and very weak. She had not been there earlier - so must have struggled to find her way back to the house. I had to edge my way in on my tummy, flat to the ground in order to reach her. Kim had no energy to move, and initially was unable even to lap water from a saucer.

In Kashmir, there is no-one, no body of people one can call on for assistance, unlike the UK where there are so many recognized societies who will help. Animals have their own techniques for survival and I had to allow nature had to take its course. Kim was no exception to the rule. She stayed still resting from the cruel daytime heat, licking her wounds and drinking copious amounts of water. Two days later she emerged from her ‘bunker’ - but where was the young puppy? She had suddenly become old; her face sad, her ears flattened backwards and her walk so slow and painful. She managed to wag her tail just a little in greeting but what a sad pathetic little character she had become because of her ordeal. I took her to a vet. With care, antibiotic, vitamins plus lots of fuss and time her wounds healed well. Unfortunately she was put in the garage for her after care as we were living with others and in Kashmir dogs are generally not accepted inside the home.

She looked better with each passing day finally returning to her normal bright little self. Full of life she wanted to be free but I was afraid she would be hurt again and kept her close to me in the garden on a lead . At night she was put in the garage.

Ideally I would have loved to have kept her but I parted with her. I didn’t want to but under all the circumstances it was best for her. I hated having to shut her in the garage at night and having to chain her in the garden during the day because of the culture of not allowing a dog to come near a person or touch them.

Kim went to a very good home of a friend of ours. - people who have no inhibitions about dogs and who own an old Labrador called “Winter”. I did miss her around the place too much. At least an animal story with a happy ending which sadly is not usually the case in this part of the globe.

( This story was sent to us by Mrs M. Reshi who has been living in Kashmir with her husband for the past 6 years. Both , being animal lovers,have given home to many animals following Kim' s departure.)