Industrial pollution causes dogs to turn blue in Mumbai township

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, August 17

Effluents released by a dye manufacturer into the Kasadi river in the township of Taloja in Navi Mumbai has resulted in several stray dogs turning blue over the past several days.

With national and international media outlets covering the blue coloured dogs running lose in the township, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board conducted a probe and zeroed in on a dye manufacturer who allegedly released untreated effluents into the Kasadi stream that runs nearby.

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“We have asked the company to stop releasing untreated waste into the river within 15 days,” an official from the MPCB said.

He added that the department may shut down the company if the release of waste into the stream continued.

According to animal rights activists in the area, stray dogs often waded into the river in search of food and ended up with a coat of blue on them.

At least one dog has reportedly gone blind from the effects of the chemicals released into the stream, according to reports.

The authorities with the help of animal rescue organisations have rescued at least five dogs and were in the process of getting them treated.

MPCB officials said they were also looking into the pollution control measures put in place by other industrial units in Taloja after complaints by local residents.