Hyderabad dog finalist in PETA contest

Hyderabad, Sep 21 (PTI) A dog, adopted by a citizenafter it was hungry and tied to a tea stall here, has beenselected as a finalist in PETA India’s fifth annual ‘CutestIndian Dog Alive’ contest. After sifting through hundreds of photographs oflovable Indian community dogs as well as their rescue stories,the judges for the contest selected Rosco, whose guardian isSpandana Raj. Rosco was tied to a tea stall and looked hungry. WhenSpandana realised that no one was taking proper care of him,she decided to adopt him, according to a statement issued byPETA India. "I found Rosco tied to a tea stall," says Spandana."It came home and has been with us for two years now. It is ahappy and loving dog," she said. "Rosco is a lucky dog, and it has returned the favourof being rescued by bringing much love and joy into Spandana’slife," says PETA CEO Poorva Joshipura. "All rescued dogs are already winners because theirlives were saved by people who love them for who they are,"she said. PETA urged the prospective guardians to adopt anIndian community dog from the streets or an animal shelter,rather than buying puppies from pet shops. Breeders and pet shops often keep animals in dismalconditions, and because pedigree dogs are bred for certainexaggerated physical traits, such as long ears and droopingbacks, many of them suffer from health ailments, includingbreathing problems, cancer, heart disease, bleeding disorders,skeletal malformations, and eye problems, the statement said. Indian community dogs are generally healthier and morerobust than their purebred cousins, PETA India said. The winner would be announced on September 28. PTI RSGKGK