Amidst reports of animal cruelty, this one comes as a sigh of relief. In Gujarat's Panchot village, near Mehsana, around 70 dogs are crorepatis! They not only have enough money for themselves but to feed generations to come. The dogs easily have over Rs 1 crore for each one of them. The dogs are taken care by 'Madh ni Pati Kutariya Trust', an informal body that administers assets donated for the welfare of dogs. The body's help has ensured that dogs are taken care properly.

Over the years their donations total upto 21 bighas of which one bigha costs Rs 3.3 crore today. While the land is not in the name of the dogs, they are benefitted by the income that comes from the land. The land was earlier donated for the welfare of the dogs by different well-wishers.

According to a report in The Times of India, donation for the welfare of the dogs has origins in the village's history. TOI quoted Chhaganbhai Patel, president of the trust as saying, "The tradition started with richer families donating a piece of land that was not easy to maintain. At that time, the land did not cost much. In a few cases, the land was donated as the owners could not afford to even pay tax and the donation shifted the responsibility."

The administration of the land started about 80 years ago while they received the whole land around 70 years ago. Now, every year, each plot is auctioned before the sowing season and the highest bidder gets tilling rights for a year.

The money is used it taking the system ahead which the villagers are proud of. They have hired 15 persons to take care of the dogs from cooking for them to other needs. The system ensures that stray dogs are fed and taken care of. The villagers also take similar interests in feeding birds. They even have air-conditioned wars for cows.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 09, 2018 04:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).