NAVI MUMBAI
The lengthy simmering tensions between canine feeders and residents of Seawoods Estate Ltd. (SEL) often called NRI Complex Phase I, got here to the fore once more on Monday. The residents protested plans to offer feeding locations throughout the advanced for the stray dogs who they are saying weren’t born throughout the gated group. Animal rights activists have dismissed their claims claiming the authorities have rejected them and all motion relies on regulation.
The protest was held following info from NMMC that six feeding areas throughout the advanced shall be marked on Monday. The residents say they’ve already offered 3 feeding factors adjoining to the colony because the dogs pose hazard for the residents, significantly senior residents and kids who’ve been chunk victims.
Following a signature marketing campaign that was supported by round 900 residents, the protest noticed a number of senior residents becoming a member of the opposite residents and administration committee in opposing what they claimed was the plan of NMMC, animal welfare board and canine feeders.
Giving particulars of the conflict with the canine feeders, Vineeta Shrinandan Chairperson SEL, “There had been around 20 attacks on the residents following which the managing committee decided to act in 2020. We asked the dog feeders if they had vaccination records, but we didn’t get them. We requested them to feed them as the adjacent public land as per AWB 2010 guidelines. We passed resolutions levying fine for feeding within the complex at parking and other places. The dog feeders then went to court for 7 feedings places within the complex.”
She said, “They did not get any relief from the either High Court or Supreme Court as there was no rule to feed the strays within the gated community and a demarcated area had been given outside the colony for it. They are hence not the society’s responsibility. It is also against NMMC rules and our freedom of movement and right to life.”
Informed Shrinandan, “The ABC 2023 rules which are contradictory to the prevention of cruelty to animals act and also human rights, were then used by the dog feeders, following which the court asked it to be followed. However, community dogs are born inside the complex while here they have been brought from outside. There is no record of their vaccination etc.”
She added, “Even vaccinated and sterilized pet dogs can bite and hence are kept on leash. Stray dogs do not bite because they are hungry but to protect their territory and their numbers grow when they find food and the pack becomes even more dangerous. We have videos of unprovoked attacks.”
Claimed the chairperson, “The number of stray dogs has gone down drastically as some have died while others have shifted, There are just 4-5 strays now who too we are ready to rehabilitate.”
Said Jayant Hudar, a resident, “We are not against the HC orders or the stray dogs. It is about the safety of 1500 families in the complex. 18 cases of bites and 77 cases of unprovoked attacks have taken place in the last 18 months.”
Stated Hudar, “3 larges area have been given next to the complex. Can’t the dogs be fed just 200 m away or is it about luxury and ego, while we want peace and harmony?”
He added, “80 year old citizens have had to come out today today send a strong message as everyone is worried. If the 5-6 dog feeders here are so concerned about the strays why don’t they take them to their homes and adopt them? NMMC should take responsibility and create feeding areas in adjacent vacant lands.”
Lamented Sudha Sakpal, a senior resident, “I was bitten by a stray dog while on my morning walk last year. It has been traumatic since then and I still fear going out for walks. Why can’t the dogs be kept out when we are so scared?”
Said Ritu Mittal, one other resident, “Some people are making an issue of it when there are just around 8 dogs remaining as others have either died or been shifted. Dogs do not bite when hungry but for territorial reasons. If they get food inside, their numbers will grow and the pack becomes even more dangerous.”
Quipped C L Gupta, a senior citizen, “Children are scared to play in the complex, the senior citizens are worried. Why put everyone to risk by getting the dogs inside? And why just dogs, why are goats and chickens also fed by these people?”
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“We are not in Europe but India; baseless claims of SEL rejected by Court ”: Dog Feeders
The canine feeders have dismissed the protest by the residents stating that the claims have been rejected by the Court and the involved authorities.
Sharmila Sankar, an animal rights activist, who has been preventing the authorized battle towards SEL stated, “The three feeding places SEL is talking about is not owned by it but is CIDCO land for which it has received notice. Dogs live in territories, you can’t herd them.”
She added, “We are not living in Europe but in India and people seem to have forgotten where we self-made residents have all come from. We have beggars and we have dogs. Dogs need food and if they do not get it they will bark.”
Stated Sankar, “We have HC order of March 20 asking for Animal Birth Control (ABC) rules 2023 to be followed which make it the responsibility of the residential society and the civic body to feed, vaccinate and sterilize the community dogs and not the dog feeders.”
On the SEL declare that the dogs weren’t born throughout the advanced, she stated, “The Maharashtra Animal Welfare Board has already rejected their appeal of which we have the documents. Pathological liars can say anything.”
On the variations over the canine inhabitants, Sankar said, “HC asked us to form Animal Welfare Committees of seven members. SEL boycotted the two committees formed. 6 designated places have been decided upon based on the dog population of 21 as counted by the amicus curiae. We now have given an update that there are now 19 dogs since two have died. SEL can say anything on the number. Where did the dogs disappear after the counting in March?”
Concluded the animal activist Sankar, We have gotten 8 dogs adopted to good houses. We are usually not being unreasonable and insisting that the dogs not depart the advanced. We are in search of a humane method and discovering houses for them and getting adoption completed via NGOs. For SEL rehabilitation solely means discovering some villager to present them away a proposal which the Court amicus laughed at. These are previous dogs, you may’t simply throw them away someplace. That will not be the regulation.”
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NMMC has no function
NMMC deputy municipal commissioner Shriram Pawar said that NMMC has no function within the challenge. Said Pawar, “I am one of the members in the HC appointed committee and the committee has submitted a list of feeding points within the complex as per the norms. NMMC has no role to play in it.”
