As mid-day highlighted the absurd Rs 7 lakh fine slapped on dog feeder in Navi Mumbai complex, this round-up shows that the issue is a city-wide problem that needs urgent solutions
Sanket Bhat, animal lover and feeder, recently had to vacate his rented home after he got into an altercation with society members over a circular restricting feeding animals
Clashes between housing societies and resident animal lovers and feeders is an age-old problem. Recent cases that have ended up at ward offices or at police stations have underlined the issue. Due to the constant fear of fights or abuse, many animal feeders have changed feeding times while others have completely stopped.
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The thin line between human rights and animal rights makes the situation in residential colonies extremely volatile as legal remedies are not sought by either party.
Maneka Gandhi, animal activist, politician
Recently, a controversy erupted at the Kutchi Sarvodaya Jain Nagar, Deonar when one of the accused opposed a society circular telling residents not to feed strays on the premises. This led residents to stop feeding 30-odd strays living inside the society and four strays allegedly died of hunger.
Sanket Bhat, who had to leave his rented accommodation in the society owing to altercations with society members, said, “It’s difficult to make someone understand the basic needs of animals. They can’t talk, so we need to keep tabs on them. We don’t expect applause, but at least people can show some mercy. The least society members can do is stop making our lives tough. Is it too much to ask for?”
‘Faced harassment, abuse’
Kantilal Jain, a senior citizen who feeds dogs, said, “I have been feeding dogs in Virar for 17 years and currently feed 80 to 100 dogs daily. But the experience with housing societies remains the same. Some try to confront us while some abuse.” Speaking about the common problems, he said, “I know some feeders who were attacked, some residents who used to feed strays were even asked to vacate the flat.”
Feeding strays has often led to confrontations between feeders and housing societies
Mira Road resident Anjum Khan has now changed the time of feeding due to complaints. “Many times when we approach dogs, they get excited and bark, which has created a lot of problems for us with residents. So, I have changed my time. I leave my house at 12.30 am and go around feeding 60 to 70 dogs till 3 am. I also clean after myself.” He, however, added, “Feeders must understand that we do it for our own conscience, so we should not take a moral high ground and try to bully others.”
Amanpreet Walia, a Naigaon resident, said she was attacked several times. “I have been feeding dogs for many years and sometimes I also take them home if they are in need of medical care. This has led to me not getting flats in societies. I feed 350 animals a day, but in hiding. I have been abused and once they even tried to torch my scooty. So I leave my home at midnight to avoid any confrontation.”
NMMC has set up pet corners in 18 gardens where pets can poop and their owners can collect the same and drop it in the bin
For Fort resident Sneha Visaria, the problem is even worse as she has been facing harassment by drug peddlers. She told mid-day, “I am regularly facing harassment from drug peddlers and society people for feeding cats at night. As the societies do not allow feeding pets inside the premises, I go outside to feed. I also keep water bowls for cats and dogs outside, but some residents broke the bowls. I have so far filed eight-nine cases of animal cruelty.”
The rules
Vijay Rangare, president of People for Animals, Mumbai Unit 2, said, “Most of the housing societies don’t know the rules and impose fines or issue notices to feeders. As far as laws are concerned, no one can bar anybody from feeding any animal within or outside the premises of any colony.”
Mitesh Jain, honorary animal welfare officer of Animal Welfare Board of India, said, “There are plenty of laws and judgments in favour of animal lovers. Most of the time, we face unnecessary abuses, but residents don’t know the law. Same goes with cops, too, most of them tell us to ‘settle’ the matter, but restricting feeding or penalising residents for feeding is just not acceptable.”
Cop speaks
Most of the cases of animal cruelty do not see the light of day, as there is lack of information about these cases, even among cops. ACP Sudhir Kudalkar of Anti Corruption Bureau Worli division said, “I solved around 187 such cases legally with my teams. I have more than 20 WhatsApp groups with more than 6,000 feeders where they post their issues. I have also formed 25 advocate teams which are dealing with animal cruelty. It’s my duty to save both the people and the animals.”
He added, “We have laws on animal cruelty but it has not changed over the years, which means accused get released on bail immediately for a fine of R50. There is a need for amendment of the laws and it should be a non-bailable offence.”
Officials speak
Animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi said, “It is illegal to stop anybody from feeding. It is compulsory to make feeding spots in every society, building and area. There is a high court judgment on this. There are also laws of harassment of women, who more often than not bear the brunt for being a feeder, and the culprits should be booked under the various sections.”
Dr KA Pathan, general manager of Veterinary Health Department of BMC, said, “Animal Welfare Board of India has given detailed guidelines about how residents should treat strays or pets. There are laws too. We as corporations are consistently working towards controlling the population of strays which will reduce the gravity of issues.”
Housing society speaks
“Pets also have equal rights to live, but pet lovers should respect the laws of the society and take the pet to the designated place for loo. If the pet lover ensures the pet does not harm small children or senior citizens, the cooperative should live and let live,” said advocate Vinod Sampat, president of a cooperative society residents and welfare association.
Pet Corner in Vashi gardens
As pet poop is one of the most common causes of confrontation between pet owners and residents, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation unveiled a ‘pet corner’ in Vashi sector 29. A 10×12 feet area, filled with sand, has been designated for pets and the civic body has also kept scoops and bags to collect the poop and throw it in the dust bin. “We expect residents to keep the city clean so we should give them such facilities too. Animal poop is a big issue in many societies, so we have decided to create such corners in 18 gardens. It will be a win-win situation for residents and animal lovers too” said NMMC chief Abhijit Bangar.
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