Dog imported from Oz stranded at Delhi airport for over a month

New Delhi, Dec 10 (PTI) It's a dog's tale! A Greyhound, imported from Australia, is languishing in the Customs warehouse of the Indira Gandhi international airport (IGIA) in New Delhi for over a month for lack of proper papers. The canine is awaiting a mandatory 'no objection certificate' from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services (AQCS) under Department of Animal Husbandry Dairying & Fisheries of India's Ministry of Agriculture for its release. According to a Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) official, the dog was brought from Australia by Malaysian Airlines to be handed over here to one J S Sidhu, who "abandoned" it. The official, who requested anonymity, said that a letter has been sent to the airlines for bringing the animal without the NoC and violating norms. However, the dog's ordeal may finally end with the DIAL authorities saying that they are planning to hand it over to animal activist and Member of India's Parliament Maneka Gandhi soon. Efforts to reach Malaysian Airlines proved futile. According to officials, the dog was sent to India on November one and since then it has been kept in a cage and fed by the warehouse staff. As per norms, an NOC has to be taken by the a person from AQCS prior to the animal's import. In addition, veterinary certificate and vaccination record of the pet has to be produced on arrival. PTI