Pune: Residents of Kalas Mhaske Vasti were left reeling under an unbearable stench after an unclaimed cow was found dead in the area late at night. The animal’s body remained unattended on the roadside for two full days, raising serious concerns over the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) handling of such incidents.
The cause of the cow’s death remains unknown, but the real issue surfaced the next morning when the decomposing carcass began to emit a foul odour. Locals immediately raised complaints, prompting a concerned citizen to contact Mr. Pawar, the PMC official in charge of removing unclaimed dead animals. Shockingly, instead of arranging for immediate removal, the official reportedly asked for details and evaded further responsibility.
“This isn’t the first time. Stray cows and dogs are often seen near garbage bins and busy roads, leading to both hygiene hazards and accidents. Despite repeated complaints, there is no concrete action from the authorities,” said a local resident.
Even more troubling, some citizens claimed that they were told to pay ₹3,200 for the removal of the dead animal or to identify the owner themselves. Such demands have sparked outrage, with residents questioning why they should bear the cost of a service that is clearly the administration’s duty.
The Pune Municipal Corporation reportedly allocates significant annual funds specifically for the removal of unclaimed dead animals. However, incidents like these point to a gap between budget allocation and actual service delivery.
In response, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Youth Wing, Pune City, has condemned the civic body’s failure and raised four key demands:
Immediate investigation and disciplinary action against the responsible officials.
Removal of inefficient agencies from the tender process.
Strengthening of the stray animal control and carcass removal system.
Assurance that citizens will never again be financially burdened for such essential services.
Residents now await a timely and transparent response from the PMC to restore faith in civic governance.
