Nagpur: The state animal husbandry department has asked the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to stop “baseless” complaints against animal lovers.
Recently, a young animal feeder was allegedly harassed by residents in Jaripatka.
“On complaint of some residents, NMC staff came to pick up stray dogs from the area.
When the boy tried stopping them citing animal welfare rules, the residents filed a false police complaint against him with charges of abusing and fighting,” said Karishma Galani, animal activist and member of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
Following the incident, Galani wrote a letter to state animal husbandry commissioner in Pune requesting safeguarding of stray dog feeders and animal lovers.
Stating that it is the constitutional right to feed stray animals, she said, “As per the norms of central government, it is illegal to relocate dogs.
Even after sterilization, dogs have to be released in the same locality.” The activist added that due to inconsistency in the animal birth control (ABC) programme, the population of strays in Nagpur is on a significant rise.
“Residents just want to get rid of dogs from their area.
When animal lovers try to stop them citing norms, they get into trouble,” added Galani.
Based on her complaint, the animal husbandry department has asked NMC to ensure that its veterinary officers personally intervenes in such matters and ensure that no animal lover or feeder is falsely accused of anything.
As per the letter written by the department to the civic body, the officer has to personally visit police stations at times of such complaints.
Welcoming the move, Galani said that the concept of community dogs needs to be implemented in the city on the lines of metros like Mumbai.
“We need to realize that dogs help in controlling various outbreaks like plague.
It is important to have dogs in your locality.
To control their over-population, citizens can also contribute and get sterilization done of street dogs instead of being dependent on the local bodies,” she said.
The activist also informed that in case the stray dogs are sick, aggressive or pose any danger to humans, the civic body has the authority to shift them.
“Such dogs can be shifted to animal shelters.
Same is the case with incidents of dog bites.
However it is scientifically proven that dogs get less aggressive if ABC is done properly,” she said.