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Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delhi govt to draft policy on community dogs: CM
A day after the Delhi high court directed the city government to formulate a policy for the rehabilitation of community dogs, chief minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday said that the government is working on the same and will involve all stakeholders to find a long-term solution. 'This is a problem for everyone — the public and the voiceless animals too. We are looking to create a platform which will cater to residents as well as those working for animals,' Gupta said while responding to a resident in her constituency during a public event. 'There are laws — dogs can't be kept in shelters and they cannot be removed from their streets. We are searching for a long-term solution, one that causes neither residents nor animals any distress. It is a policy matter...,' she said. On Tuesday, a bench of justice Mini Pushkarna, concerned over increasing instances of dog bites in the Capital, directed the city government to formulate a policy for the 'rehabilitation of community dogs at an institutional level' so that they can be gradually removed from the streets. 'A policy decision must be taken by stakeholders to ensure community dogs are rehabilitated and phased out from public roads and streets,' the court had said. The direction, however, experts said could be in contradiction to the law. Presently, agencies follow the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which prohibit relocation of community dogs, except for sterilisation and vaccination. A dog cannot be removed from any area in the city, barring for sterilisation purposes, the rules state. Once treated, dogs must be returned to their original locality. A detailed register needs to be maintained for each dog, and it needs to be released at the same place or locality from where it was captured. Animal rights activists say that forming a wider policy may not only be 'legally untenable but also impractical.' Instead, they called for the need to address larger issues in Delhi's infrastructure and the ABC programme. 'This is a mature stand by the Delhi chief minister. While judicial or executive officers may seek short-term, quick fixes, no government in Delhi till date has worked on strategies to resolve the problem scientifically in the long run — beginning with proper implementation of ABC rules, designating feeding points, more funds and proper awareness drives,' said Gauri Maulekhi, an activist and trustee at the People for Animals (PFA). Sonya Ghosh, another animal activist, who has filed several pleas in the HC on community dogs, said the government needs to first focus on improving the existing veterinary hospitals. 'There are already 77 veterinary hospitals under the animal husbandry department, but none of these hospitals is being utilised for the ABC programme. Until sterilisation is done effectively, we cannot find a solution,' Ghosh said, who has also worked with the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to designate feeding spots in the city. 'This is also another challenge — residents resist the need to set up feeding points which leads to conflicts.' Resident Welfare Associations too called for a balanced approach. Atul Goyal, who heads URJA United RWAs Joint Action — a collective body of RWAs, said identifying designated feeding spots in each neighbourhood would be a good start. 'The issue of community dogs has become very divisive, with people on both sides. The problem has arisen because of lack of implementation of norms for sterilisation and feeding points. In case of an extremely aggressive dog, some kind of shelter home may be developed but this cannot be done for all dogs. We don't want a society either where there are no dogs,' he said. Other RWAs meanwhile advocated for mass sterilisation and vaccination. 'This should be the top priority,' said BS Vohra, who heads East Delhi RWA joint front. 'If a significant population is sterilised now, the impact will become visible 2-3 years. In many places in East Delhi, it has become impossible to step out alone during night due to packs of dogs, but relocation is not a solution,' he said. Ashok Bhasin, who heads the North Delhi RWA, also said that the population of community dogs has increased significantly in north Delhi due to the alleged failure of the sterilisation drives by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. 'MCD also picks up dogs from one site and drops them at some other locations 1-2km away. There should be a priority to vaccinate and neuter the dogs,' he said. Sunayana Sibal, an animal activist, who has worked on the implementation of pet shop rules and ABC rules, said that ABC centres in Delhi are crumbling and require attention. 'Unless the ABC program is implemented in its true earnest, this issue is bound to fester and flare up in a cyclical manner,' she said.
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Delhi HC seeks govt plan to remove community dogs
Concerned over increasing instances of dog bites in the Capital, the Delhi high court has directed the city government to formulate a policy for the 'rehabilitation of community dogs at an institutional level' so that they can be gradually removed from the streets. The court's direction, issued through an order dated May 21 and made public on Monday, came during a hearing on a plea by Pratima Devi, an octogenarian who challenged the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) demolition of a makeshift shelter in Saket where she cared for over 200 dogs. 'This court notes that various instances of dog bites by stray dogs have come forth, reported regularly in newspapers, along with several petitions wherein such incidents have been brought to the court's notice,' said a bench of justice Mini Pushkarna. 'A policy decision must be taken by the stakeholders to ensure stray dogs are rehabilitated and phased out from public roads and streets.' Experts said the order could be in contradiction to the law. Agencies follow the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which prohibit relocation of community dogs except temporarily for sterilisation and vaccination. Once treated, dogs must be returned to their original locality and a detailed register needs to be maintained for each dog. Forming a wider policy as suggested by the court may not only be 'legally untenable', but also 'impractical', experts said. 'It's neither feasible nor humane to confine such a vast population of dogs. This will only cause suffering and undermine decades of community-based dog population management,' said Gauri Maulekhi, trustee of People for Animals (PFA). 'It does nothing to address the root causes of the human-dog conflict.' In Delhi, the root cause for human-dog conflicts are the lack of designated feeding spots in the city, poor monitoring of the ABC programme, and lack of public awareness around treatment of community dogs. 'If the dog is relocated for sterilisation and not released at the correct spot, it adds to the conflict. Similarly, until feeding points are designated, there will be neighbourhood-level conflicts on where to feed them,' Maulekhi said. The HC order referred the matter to Delhi chief secretary, stating, 'Considering the sensitivity of the case and the magnitude of the problem… the matter is referred to the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi.' Devi's petition argued that the MCD razed her shelter without prior notice. In response, the court had granted interim protection in January 2023, allowing her to cover the shelter with tarpaulin as a temporary measure. On March 25, the court ordered Delhi government officials, the AWBI and the petitioner to hold a joint meeting to resolve the issue, warning that leaving 200 dogs in the open 'may create a very serious situation.' During the May 21 hearing, officials said the dogs would be released back to the streets after sterilisation and vaccination. The court, however, rejected this approach due to the sheer number of animals. The matter is now scheduled for further hearing on August 6. Animal rights organisations argue that the focus should be on effective implementation of the ABC Rules, rather than removing dogs from the streets. 'It is simply not feasible. The cost for land, housing them, feeding them – it will all be rather steep. On top of it, they will have to be sterilised. Why can't agencies simply focus on effective implementation of ABC rules?' said Ambika Shukla, director of the Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre and a PFA trustee. 'The Centre should support states with funds and manpower for sterilisation, rather than propose mass removals.' Sonya Ghosh, another Delhi-based animal activist who has filed multiple pleas on community dog welfare, said the court's latest order contradicts both the ABC Rules and Supreme Court judgments. 'There is no reasoning behind such an order. It contradicts the SC's directions that ABC Rules need to be followed when it comes to community dogs. The HC in 2021 had also clearly stated that stray dogs have the right to food and citizens have the right to feed them. The new directive contradicts this,' she said.
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation planning new rules to regulate pet dog ownership
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is planning to introduce new set of rules to regulate pet dog ownership, following the recent death of a four-month-old infant in Ahmedabad who was fatally mauled by a pet Rottweiler, said a senior government official close to the development speaking on the condition of anonymity. The proposed rules will not be limited to aggressive breeds, but will cover all pet dogs. It would developed on the lines of the law introduced to tackle the stray cattle menace in urban areas and aims to give the corporation a stronger legal framework to enforce pet-related regulations, the official added. The proposed set of rules will make registration of all pet dogs mandatory and clearly outline the responsibilities of pet owners. 'At present there are no specific rules for fixing the responsibility of pet dog owners. The new rules are will include control over pets in public spaces, cleanliness obligations, and consequences in case of attacks or bites. There will also be provisions for licensing pet ownership and requiring measures such as leashing and muzzling in public areas,' said an AMC official aware of the matter. The rules will fix responsibility of pet dog owners and there could also limit the number of dogs owned by a household. Also Read: Jogger suffers arm injuries in pet dog bite incident in Pune The new set of rules will first require approval from AMC's standing committee before being sent to the state government for final clearance and implementation. Like the stray cattle bill, the pet dog ownership rules also have the potential to be extended to other urban areas, including the state's seven other municipal corporations, an official said. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation began registering pet dogs earlier this year in alignment with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023 — a central framework aimed at sterilizing, vaccinating, and managing dog populations in a humane and regulated manner. 'It is estimated that there are about 52,000 pet dogs in Ahmedabad and till now registration has been done for 5520. The deadline for registration was March but it has been extended to May 31,' according to the AMC official. Animal welfare organisations and veterinary experts are being consulted to ensure that the legislation balances public safety with responsible pet ownership, he added. Reacting to the developmen, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India on Friday said it has written to Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel's office renewing its call urging the state to implement a policy prohibiting breeding, selling, or keeping dog breeds such as pit bull terriers, Rottweilers, Dogo Argentinos (Argentine mastiffs), Presa Canarios, Fila Brasileiros (Brazilian mastiffs), bull terriers and XL bullies who have been deliberately bred for fighting and aggression. PETA India claimed that such dogs are often sold to unsuspecting buyers who are themselves attacked or otherwise cannot control the animals. On May 12, a four-month-old girl named Rushika died in Ahmedabad's Hathijan area after being attacked by a pet Rottweiler named Rocky. The dog, owned by Dilip Ganpat Patel, broke free from its leash while being handled by a woman — the accused's daughter-in-law — who was accompanying it. The dog lunged at the infant, biting her multiple times on the head while she was in the arms of her 17-year-old aunt, Heena Chauhan. Rushika's mother, Puja, is the elder daughter of Dashrath Chauhan, an 83-year-old locksmith and labourer, who later filed the police complaint. The infant was rushed to LG Hospital but died during treatment. Heena also sustained injuries in the attack.
India Today
12-05-2025
- General
- India Today
Greater Noida authority directs societies to provide data on community animals. Know more
In a proactive move to address the challenges associated with community animals in residential societies, the Greater Noida Authority has issued a directive requiring all societies to compile and submit comprehensive data on community animals within their premises within a month. This initiative is part of the authority's revised policy on pets and community animals, approved in June of the previous authority has instructed Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), Apartment Owners' Associations (AOAs), facility management teams, and individual feeders to gather detailed information, including:Estimated number of community dogs and cats Existing feeding pointsVaccination and sterilisation statusContact details of feeders and responsible personnelThis data collection aims to create a streamlined system that balances animal welfare with residents' safety. The initiative responds to numerous complaints received through social media, government portals, and RTI applications, primarily concerning disputes over feeding locations and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, the authority emphasises that feeding points must be jointly decided by RWAs and feeders. These locations should be safe, away from high-traffic areas such as gates, play areas, and staircases, and should avoid times when children or elderly residents are is a key component of the guidelines, with feeders responsible for maintaining hygiene at the designated spots and cooperating with sterilisation, vaccination, and related OF ANIMAL WELFARE COMMITTEESTo resolve disputes and ensure smooth implementation of these guidelines, the Greater Noida Authority plans to form animal welfare committees. These committees will include officials from the veterinary department, local police, animal welfare organisations, and representatives from RWAs or collaborative approach aims to address concerns effectively and promote harmonious coexistence between residents and community RESPONSE AND COOPERATIONResidents' bodies have expressed their willingness to cooperate with the authority's directives. Alok Nagar, General Secretary of Sector Delta 2 RWA, stated, "We will cooperate with the Greater Noida Authority and work out a way so that society becomes more compassionate towards the community's animals, including dogs."The issue of stray animals has been a longstanding concern in Greater Noida. In December 2024, the authorities decided to engage expert agencies to develop animal shelters for abandoned cats and dogs, acknowledging the rising need for dedicated facilities. These shelters aim to provide a safe environment for stray animals and reduce conflicts in residential in March 2024, the Greater Noida Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the HCL Foundation to sterilise 600 stray dogs in specific sectors. This initiative aimed to control the stray dog population and address residents' RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIPadvertisementIn addition to managing community animals, the authority has taken steps to promote responsible pet ownership. In August 2024, the free pet registration service was launched through the Mitra app, enabling residents to register their pets and ensure mandatory could result in penalties, emphasising the importance of adhering to the Greater Noida Authority's comprehensive approach reflects its commitment to fostering a balanced and compassionate environment for both residents and community involving all stakeholders and implementing structured guidelines, the authority aims to mitigate conflicts and promote harmonious coexistence in residential Watch
Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Share data on community animals in your area: Gr Noida to societies in new guidelines
GREATER NOIDA: To address the issue of community animals' feeding and care in residential societies, the Greater Noida authority as part of its new set of guidelines on Sunday asked all societies to compile and submit detailed data about these animals existing in their premises within a month. The new guidelines, prepared for residents' bodies including apartments owners' associations (AOAs), resident welfare associations (RWAs), facility management teams, and individual feeders, also offer the authority's plans and suggestions over the issue. Stating that this data must include the estimated number of community dogs and cats, existing feeding points, vaccination and sterilisation status, and contact details of the feeder, RWA, AOA, or facility management team, an authority official said the aim is to create a streamlined system that balances animal welfare with residents' safety in mind. 'The directive is part of the authority's revised policy on pet and community animals, which was approved in June last year,' the official added. Reacting to the data sought by the authority, some residents' bodies assured of their cooperation. 'We will co-operate with the Greater Noida authority and work out a way so that the society becomes more compassionate towards the community animals including dogs,' said Alok Nagar general secretary sector Delta 2 RWA. Meanwhile, the authority's move follows numerous complaints it received through social media, government portals, and RTI (right to information) applications, primarily concerning disputes over feeding locations and responsibilities. In response, the authority clarified that under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, feeding points must be jointly decided by RWAs and feeders. These locations should be safe, secluded from high-traffic areas such as gates, play areas, and staircases, and should avoid times when children or elderly residents are active. Cleanliness is a key component of the guidelines, as they state that feeders are responsible for maintaining hygiene at the designated spots and must cooperate with sterilisation, vaccination, and rehabilitation efforts, it said. To resolve disputes, the authority will form an animal welfare committee. This body will include officials from the veterinary department, local police, animal welfare organisations, and the complainant along with RWA or AOA representatives. The committee will be empowered to finalise feeding locations and appoint caretakers from within the society, if required. In case of dissatisfaction, stakeholders may appeal to the State Animal Welfare Board. Outlining the protocols for dog bite incidents and suspected rabies cases, the new guidelines say that the authority will ensure immediate medical treatment for victims at government hospitals. Suspected rabid dogs will be isolated and monitored by a vet, with humane treatment provided by authorised NGOs. The authority will also soon launch a helpline and plans to reimburse registered NGOs for medical care under the sterilisation and vaccination programme. Public awareness drives will also be conducted using material from the Animal Welfare Board to promote peaceful cohabitation with community animals. Some animal lovers on Sunday urged the authority to create a better environment for existence of the community animals. 'The government body must create more facilities such as dog parks, green space and safe zones for the community animals so that their life is safe and better in the city. There are not enough areas such as parks where we can take our dogs to,' said Dilit Sharma, a dog lover. To be sure, community dogs are territorial, serve as guard dogs, and keep the rodent population down. These dogs can't be exterminated or simply shipped out; there are legal restrictions against both. According to guidelines laid down by the Animal Welfare Board of India and Prevention of Cruelty (Animal Birth Control) Rules, 2023, a civic body can pick up dogs to sterilise them, but after surgery and recovery, these animals must be released in the same area.
