Meet The Winners Of PETA India's 'Cutest Indian Dog Alive' Contest

Step outside and you’re sure to come across at least one stray dog along your journey. Regardless of what their appearance may be these little canines are usually friendly, full of love and just waiting for someone to give them the some affection. But often in the race to acquire the best pedigree, these indie babies are forgotten, side-lined and left to fend for themselves.

PETA India found an innovate way to change this perception people hold of ‘dangerous’ stray dogs, making sure that people remember how rewarding it is to make a stray a part of your family.

We recently wrote about their fifth annual edition of the ‘Cutest Indian Dog Alive’ and after going through hundreds of pictures of adorable four-legged furries -- a task we seriously envy--the results are finally in! Out of the 10 selected finalists PETA judges awarded Hyderabad-based Rosco with the title of Cutest Indian Dog Alive. As stated in a press release, PETA judges’ deliberation was based on numerous factors, including vote count.

“When Spandana saw Rosco, he was tied to a tea stall and looked hungry. When she realised that no one was taking proper care of him, she decided to adopt him. Rosco is now a happy and loving dog and greets everyone with kisses. He will receive a certificate and be able to flaunt his new ‘100% Desi Dog’ doggie T-shirt, and his guardian will receive an ‘I ♥ Desi Dogs’ T-shirt and a copy of Ingrid Newkirk’s book Let’s Have a Dog Party!” stated PETA in their release.
With entries coming in from across the country, being flooded with pictures of adorable dogs it was an understandably difficult task for the judges to pick just one winner. So, after “plenty of ‘OMG, how cute!’ shrieks,” as they stated, they crowned two more canines as runners-up in the competition, Kolkata resident Nekti Karmakar and Goa-based Petu.

“Nekti was found crying and shaking in fear after her mother was hit by a car – and Karmakar gave her a helping hand. They are now a big part of each other’s life. In fact, the two are inseparable – Karmakar shares every moment she can with her ‘sister’. Nekti will receive a certificate and a “100% Desi Dog” doggie T-shirt, and her guardian will get an ‘I ♥ Desi Dogs’ T-shirt.”

“Minima Peres rescued Petu, who was being bullied by other dogs. His left eye was injured, but he eventually recovered and became a loving member of Peres’ family. Petu will receive a certificate and a ‘100% Desi Dog’ doggie T-shirt.”
Dogs are not a commodity to be bought and sold, and breeders of sought-after breeds often abuse the dogs in their care and keep them locked up in terrible conditions. Criticising breeders, puppy mills and even pet shops, PETA urges people to adopt and not shop, to give a home to a canine in need and to change preconceived notions of strays being aggressive, ill-tempered and undeserving.

Click here to read PETA India’s press release

 All images and captions courtesy of PETA India