News: Feeding strays: Residents of gated societies lock horns-02-04-2021
Feeding strays: Residents of gated societies lock horns
After a couple at a Gurgaon housing complex was heckled by their neighbours earlier this month, the debate of feeding strays inside societies – a long-standing issue – has once again surfaced. While animal lovers cite unfair treatment, others point out that strays often become aggressive
Earlier this month, a Gurgaon couple, along with their three-year-old daughter and dog, were apparently mobbed and abuses were hurled at them with neighbours objecting to their habit of feeding strays inside the housing society. While the couple and the RWA had different stories to tell, the issue of feeding strays has always been a contentious one across NCR, which has long divided residents. Since street dogs cannot be relocated as per the law, there are many instances where residents have got into arguments with those trying to feed strays inside residential complexes.
‘We were held hostage in our complex for feeding the stray, is that okay?’Shocked with what happened with them, the family says that the incident was a horrifying experience. Reacting to allegations that the dog they were feeding is aggressive and has bitten a few people, the man replies, “Why would I be okay with an animal biting another person or their kids? I too have a daughter, and if the animal is aggressive and attacks, why has he not attacked anyone in my family?” He adds, “Though there are no medical records of the dog biting others, I want to ask in what capacity it is okay to hold a family hostage without food and water?”
‘Not against the dog, but no resident should be harmed because of the animal’
Ram Mehar, RWA President of the society where the incident happened, shares, “Our RWA wants that within the legal ambit, jo bhi arrangement ho sakta hai iss dog ka woh kiya jaaye taaki woh logon ko bite na kare. We have no problem with the dog, the dog can stay inside or outside the society, but peacefully. Our only request to all the regulators – including the MCG, administration, the couple and NGOs is that within the ambit of law, we should reach a solution so that all stakeholders live peacefully. Nobody is against the dog, but everybody’s concern is that the dog should not bite anyone.”
‘Wherever there are animal lovers, the easy way out is to silence them’
Dog feeding is something that has always divided feeders and non-feeders in gated societies. Animal activist Chetna Joshi, who was present when the incident happened, explains, “We can’t come to a conclusion because one side of the stakeholders doesn’t want to come to a conclusion. They either want to poison the dogs or send them to a shelter. Wherever there are animal lovers, the easy way out is to silence them. Jab intolerance khatam hoga, tabhi toh dono parties milkar baithkar baat karenge.”
Kaveri Rana Bhardwaj, President, PFA Gautam Buddh Nagar, points out that lack of awareness is a reason for such incidents. “We should have constant dialogue, awareness camps and sessions where such issues are discussed, without the mob mentality. This is not justified. Community dogs are protected by Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA), Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules 2001 and Supreme Court judgement,” she says.
‘Feeders often go through such treatment’
This is not the first time feeders in a society or condominium have faced the brunt of agitated neighbours. Sonia Khanna Walia, a resident of Gurgaon, says a similar incident happened to her as well. “Residents of my society organised a protest against me. Banners were made and the protest was organised near my house. People in our society were not comfortable with strays. But we fought for them and told them that according to the Supreme Court, they are a part of our society, they cannot be relocated. You need to sit down and discuss solutions. Make a plan about when one can feed dogs. And trust me, if their tummies are full, they don’t even bark. That is how we ultimately resolved the issue in our society,” she says.
‘Housing socities must assign designated areas to feed strays’
Dhanshree Panchbhai from Gurgaon, who fed 140 dogs for 110 consecutive days throughout the lockdown, says she never faced any issue with her neighbours or the police. “Feeding strays is one grey area that individuals need to understand. If you have to feed a dog, please do so in a designated area.
If you know that the dogs have started getting aggressive or are biting kids or older people, complain to the authorities. There’s a balance that an individual needs to maintain. If you are feeding a dog, you have to respect other humans. Every RWA should allot a designated area or if an individual is taking care, then some more members of the society can join in and help in feeding the dog,” she says.
‘They are a menace in our society’
Vasudha Bajaj* (name changed on request), who lives in a residential society in Gurgaon, says that the population of street dogs keeps increasing in their society. “And they keep chasing people on two-wheelers without any reason. Sometimes these dogs do not even let kids play outside. I am not against dogs but people should understand that they can actually create menace because how do you trust the behaviour of a street dog? I think authorities should take the right steps to not just control their population but also see if a training programme can be done for those who are actually getting aggressive on streets,” she says.
