Why are dogs turning blue in India?

Action has been taken by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) against a firm releasing dye into the Kasadi River in Mumbai, after the Hindustan Times reported how the contaminated water was turning dogs blue.

The board has warned the company of a shutdown in case of failure to follow the pollution rules within 15 days.



Located near the common effluent treatment plant (CETP) in Navi Mumbai, the firm has been using blue dye to manufacture detergent. The chemical is discharged untreated into the river as well as the air, said MPCB officials.

Stray dogs often wade into the river and come out with blue fur. According to the Thane Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TSPCA), one of the five dogs went blind due to the chemical.

“We have collected photographic evidence. There is only one company in this area responsible for these violations,” said Jayant Hajare, sub-regional officer, MPCB.

According to him, the company has violated norms in the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

“The firm does not have adequate air or water pollution monitoring equipment. This has led to the emission and discharge of pollutants. A complete report has been submitted to our head office and a hearing with the private company is likely to take place within the next fortnight. If they do not make adequate efforts to control pollution, we will shut them down,” said Hajare.

A technical team is observing the conditions at the site, according to officials from the company.

“We have installed a temporary gate to prevent strays from entering the river. We will adhere to MPCB’s instructions within a week,” said an official from the firm.

The Navi Mumbai Animal Protection Cell, which photographed the affected dogs to raise awareness, asked the TSPCA animal hospital to help them save the dogs.

“We have been conducting awareness drives in the area so people realise how dogs and other animals are affected by the chemical pollution. Most of the dogs from the area have been treated. The powered dye has also turned a few sparrows blue,” said Arati Chauhan, a Navi Mumbai resident who runs the cell.



According to TSPCA veterinarians, five dogs underwent blood tests.

“The infection must have been local and has died down. The blood reports suggest the dogs are healthy. The blue colour is water soluble so we expect the rain to wash it away, but we do not know what internal damage the dogs have sustained,” said Shakuntala Majumdar, president, TSPCA.

An in-depth health report of the dogs and a chemical analysis of the dye will be available within a week, she said.

This story originally appeared in The Hindustan Times.