Tag: Stray Dogs

Viewing Stray Dogs As A Menace Is The Easy Part

‘Calling Stray Dogs A Menace Is The Easy Part’

By LokMarg

Abhishek Anand, co-founder of a welfare NGO called Daan India Foundation, details the challenges before animal lovers in urban parts of the country. His views

As a dog-shelter owner in India, I witness firsthand the complexities surrounding the issue of stray dogs. The debate largely oscillates between viewing stray dogs as a menace and recognizing them as ill-treated animals. Stray dogs, indeed, present a significant challenge due to their growing numbers, which strain resources and often trigger conflicts. However, it’s crucial to understand that the root of this problem lies not with the animals themselves but with systemic failures, particularly the lack of effective implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules of 2001 by local municipal authorities.

The Supreme Court’s ABC Rules were designed to manage and control the stray dog population humanely. Unfortunately, compliance is abysmally low, with an estimated 99% of municipal bodies across India failing to adhere to these guidelines. This negligence leads to overpopulation, which in turn results in increased incidents of dog bites and conflicts between humans and strays. It’s far too easy to label stray dogs as a menace without addressing the core issue of mismanagement by authorities.

In high-rise societies, there is a disconnect between residents and the realities of pet ownership. Many Apartment Owners Associations (AOAs) and Resident Welfare bodies (RWAs) act beyond their legal boundaries, imposing arbitrary rules that make life difficult for pet owners and their dogs. These groups most commonly prohibit pets from using common facilities like lifts, which is not only unfair but also illegal.

The Supreme Court has upheld the right of citizens to feed strays, and the Animal Welfare Board of India has issued guidelines stating that RWAs cannot deny feeding or designate feeding spots without the agreement of feeders. RWAs can face legal action for issuing illegal orders or intimidating residents who feed dogs.

ALSO READ: A Progressive Society Enjoys Life With Dogs, Other Pets

On the flip side, pet owners also have a responsibility to understand and manage their pets appropriately. Many people adopt dogs without fully understanding the breed’s needs and behavioral traits. For instance, breeds like German Shepherd or Beagle require ample space, socialization, and training. Keeping such active dogs confined in small apartments without adequate mental and physical stimulation can lead to behavioral issues. Pet parents must educate themselves about the breeds they adopt and provide proper training and socialization to ensure their pets are well-adjusted and non-aggressive.

Feeding strays is an act of compassion, aimed at reducing hunger-induced aggression and territorial behavior. However, those who feed strays must do so responsibly. Feeding dogs at a specific spot can make them territorial about that area, leading to aggressive behavior towards passersby. Therefore, feeders should choose feeding locations wisely and ensure that these spots do not become contentious zones within communities.

It’s imperative for municipal authorities to take their responsibilities seriously and implement the ABC Rules effectively to control the stray population. Concurrently, communities need to foster a culture of coexistence, where the rights and responsibilities of pet owners, strays, and other residents are balanced. Education and awareness programs can play a significant role in bridging the gap between different stakeholders, promoting understanding, and reducing conflicts.

Ultimately, the issue of stray dogs in India requires a collaborative approach. Municipal authorities must be held accountable for their lapses, pet owners need to be responsible and informed, and community groups should respect legal guidelines while fostering harmony. By working together, we can create an environment where humans and animals coexist peacefully, respecting each other’s rights and needs

(Daan India offers a range of services aimed at providing care and support to vulnerable beings, including animals and humans, as well as communities in need)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Animals Equal Rights

Animals Have Equal Rights To Live Like Humans

By LokMarg

“Humans are said to be a bright developing species that has a consciousness of understanding its nature, surroundings, and needs, but what is the use of this consciousness if we cannot use it for others’ welfare? As our great freedom fighter M.S. Gandhi said “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”.

The stray animals’ situation is the worst in our country. These voiceless are treated cruelly and brutally in our society. Prevention of Cruelty to animals is required. The House of Stray Animals realized the issue of animal cruelty and released a press conference on 2nd December 2022 at the Press Club of India to raise awareness for these stray animals.
Some renowned people participated in this conference, Dr. Vijay Pathak (Indian Veterinary Association – Treasury,), Sanjay Mohapatra (Founder of House of Stray Animas), Vijay Kumar (Veterinary Doctor), and Saumya Tandon (Animal Law advocate).

This press conference was organized to raise and highlight the issues stray animals face in our society every day. In the press conference, many questions were raised on how brutally these stray dogs and other animals were treated and how they have been neglected by society. No law is enforced for these voiceless animals as they are involved in road accidents, harshly catching these stray animals and no proper medication. When they fall sick or injured, there is no help or medicine provided by the government.

RWA should step up and take the initiative of feeding these stray animals and providing temporary shelter and first aid in case of any sickness or injury. Dogs are becoming aggressive because they are not being fed. They are voiceless, therefore, cannot express their pain, or they are hungry. MCD vans and dog caters handle them very harshly and the vaccinations of dogs are not done according to the medical procedure. Later the records of yearly vaccination are not maintained, and the lack of training of medical staff resulting in countless deaths on the table during the procedure, post-care, and release after the procedure is the worst. In India, we need Veterinary hospitals to be built by the government with infrastructure, Medicines, Veterinary doctors, Equipment, and staff.

People are not aware of the PCA act. Animal caretakers and volunteers are not protected and are continuously harassed by police, Residents, and RWA. Pet parents avoid and abandon their pets because of social pressure and are unaware of their pet’s needs and behavioral patterns due to lack of knowledge. People should be educated first on how to take proper care of these animals and should also be encouraged to adopt Indian breeds.

Our community should not elect those Political Parties who are making false promises against these stray animals and are planning to send them from the entire area to the pound “Jail”.

Stray animals living in the community are a part of our society and environment. However, removing them is equal to disturbing nature.

This story is provided by GPRC. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/GPRC)

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Animal Lovers Call For Rally In Delhi Against Killing of Stray Dogs

By LokMarg

Remember Bruno? The pet dog whose legs were tied and was beaten to death with iron rods and sticks by humans on a beachside in Kerala.

There are thousands of dogs like Bruno. Without a name. Without a home. They brave the heat and cold, lack of food and water but worst of all, wanton human cruelty. Their only fault- they are born on the street. Thousands of dogs like Bruno, have been subjected to severe atrocities in the recent past all over India and more specifically in the State of Kerala- the state with the highest literacy rate. What are we teaching?

We therefore asks all animal lovers to unite and demand justice for helpless strays. This is a call for responsible citizens to participate in a rally on September 24 at 2 pm near Jantar Mantar and demand a dignified life for stray animals.

Despite the matter being sub-judicebefore the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, and despite issuance of protective orders in favour of the street dogs to protect them from any harm and danger as also relocation from their respective territories, recently, thousands of innocent street dogs have been mercilessly killed, harmed and relocated from their territory in the following ghastly manner:

Kerala: Over 1000 street dogs (including pet dogs) have been poisoned, beaten to death with iron rods and sticks, hung by the neck, burned and buried alive.

Bellary, Karnataka: Over 100 street dogs whose mouths and legs were tied with metal wires were thrown into the forest.

Nipani, Belgaum, Karnataka: Over 60 street dogs beaten up, bound and thrown outside the municipal limits.

Bijapur, Karnataka: Over 25 dogs and pups were beaten and taken away by the Patil Medical College.

Dogs have been domesticated and been the companions of humans since centuries. Dogs are an integral part of the Army and Police and have proven to be the best therapy animals for the blind, autistic children and people in need. With the onset of several natural calamities including widespread flash floods, incessant rainfall, spread of epidemics and dangerous diseases, is it not time we learn and understand to CO-EXIST and respect nature and her creations.

Animal Cruelty is scientifically known to be perpetrated by humans who often harm children, abuse women and engage in heinous crimes. It is light of the recent hostility and rise of cruelty against street dogs, we the Citizens of India seek to call attention to the need for compassion for all living beings and to discharge our constitutional duty under Article 51 (g) & (h) of the Constitution of India. Our Citizens Rally stands up for dogs, man’s best friend who down the ages have given us their unconditional love, loyalty and service. It is appealed to all citizens of India, to join this Citizens Rally and speak up for those who cannot speak.

We call for immediate implementation of the following:

Nationwide implementation of Animal Birth Control Rules, 2001 to sterilize and immunize street dogs, advertised and promoted to encourage public participation.

Appropriate sensitivity training for municipal and panchayat staff as well as for police and law enforcement agencies.

Inclusion of animal welfare as a subject in schools.

Promotion of PM Modi’s initiative to adopt Indian Dogs, preventing illegal breeding and sale of dogs.

The immediate adoption of the amended Prevention of Cruelty To Animals Act, 1960 with increased punishment for crimes against animals.