New Delhi, Aug. 24 -- Protests broke out outside a Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) animal birth control (ABC) centre in Rohini late Friday night after locals and animal activists alleged inhumane treatment of dogs and violations of ABC Rules, 2023. Demonstrators claimed dog bones and skulls were found near the facility, one of 20 such centres in the city, triggering outrage. The accusations included illegal capture of strays, including puppies, poor record-keeping, overcrowding of cages, unhygienic conditions and insufficient food. Videos circulating online showed police using lathis to disperse the crowd as activists demanded access to the premises; HT could not independently verify these videos. Deputy commissioner of police (outer-north) Hareshwar V Swami confirmed that some protestors were detained but said, "No violations were found inside." MCD and the centre staff denied the allegations. According to activist Jiya Saklani, the gathering swelled after 10pm on Friday and continued till around 4am Saturday. She said the protests began after dog feeders tracked animals captured following the Supreme Court's revised order on stray dogs earlier in the day. "When they went to the MCD centre, they found bones in the backyard. They alerted others, and people started gathering to protest," she said. Saklani alleged that when activists attempted to film the premises using a drone, staff switched off the lights. Later, police allowed small groups of activists to enter. "What we saw was shocking -- faeces everywhere, organs in the open, and even puppies, which is illegal. Many dogs were extremely lethargic, some on the verge of death," she claimed. When HT visited the Sector 27 site on Saturday, 20-30 protestors were still stationed outside. Dog bones were visible both in front of the building and across the road, while dogs whining could be heard from inside. Locals said several vans left through the day carrying dogs for release. Centre staff claimed that of 113 dogs housed on Friday, 47 had already been released by Saturday afternoon. Protestors who entered described disturbing scenes. Activist Supriya Sharma said, "Most dogs were wounded and untreated. They looked starved -- their ribs were visible. Puppies were caged even though sterilisation is illegal at that age. In several cases, three or four dogs were kept in one cage." Another activist, Asher Jesudoss, alleged that the facility appeared hastily cleaned before entry was granted. "We found a half-dead dog with an e-collar left in a washroom. The autoclave looked unused, dogs were fed only rice and water, and 70% weren't tagged," he said, calling for an independent audit. MCD officials strongly rejected the allegations. "These rumours are spread by vested groups with NGO links. The skulls may have been from a nearby river. Our centres have not dumped bodies," said Yogesh Verma, MCD councillor and member of the sub-committee on stray dogs. Centre in-charge Dr Rajeev Kumar also denied charges, saying dogs were sterilised, vaccinated, and released as per protocol. "Almost all were tagged. Tags sometimes fall off when dogs fight. By Saturday evening, only 27 remained, mostly unwell animals under treatment," he said. DCP Swami dismissed claims of police violence, saying, "No medico-legal certificates of injury were received. Only two or three instigators were removed. One remains in custody. We will examine any complaint." He said police found 113 dogs in "healthy condition," with only one under treatment. Saurabh Gandhi, general secretary of the United Residents of Delhi, said, "These allegations and need proper investigation."...