Dozen birds dead after consuming ‘poisonous feed’

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 11

Taking notice of the complaint lodged by the PETA area in-charge and president of local NGO Sonu Maheshwari regarding the death of around a dozen birds after consuming poisonous feed at Kothe Maha Singhwala village, People for Animals (PFA) chairperson Maneka Gandhi today directed the district forest officer to conduct probe and take strict action into the matter. The incident had taken place on Saturday.

Sonu Maheshwari said a contractor had deliberately thrown poisonous feed in the field near Kothe Maha Singhwala village, which led to the incident.

He said animal lover Randhir Singh Dheera, who lived near the field where this incident took place, informed him about the incident.

Thereafter, he lodged the complaint and also submitted the video of the dead birds to the People for Animals, Animal Welfare Board of India and divisional forest officer. Acting on the complaint, Maneka Gandhi replied to Sonu Maheshwari through an e-mail.

Officials of the Forest Department visited the spot and sent the dead birds for post-mortem.

They have also recorded the statement Randhir Singh Dheera and have initiated action against the accused.

District Forest Officer Harbhajan Singh said they had received a call from Maneka Gandhi, who told them to properly investigate the incident.

“Our team visited the site and sent the 10 dead birds for post-mortem. The exact cause of death will be clear only after getting the report,” he said.