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The Print
13 hours ago
- General
- The Print
Maria Gomes feeds over 300 stray dogs. She challenges the popular image of a dog lover
In housing societies and neighbourhoods across urban India, feeding community dogs has been a battleground for years. Despite several rulings in favour of community feeders, residents damage food and water bowls, threaten feeders, and hit the dogs at sight. Anyone who chooses to challenge this behaviour is routinely told to take their compassion—and community dogs—inside their own houses, rather than shared spaces. Instead, she's here in Goa, where I'm trailing her to understand what drives someone to dedicate their entire existence to feeding animals that half the country wants eliminated. The answer, though, isn't as tidy and straightforward as what you'd expect from someone the law could soon consider a public nuisance. Last week, while India's top court was busy criminalising Delhi-NCR's community dogs, 55-year-old Maria Gomes was being a busybody on Panjim's streets. Like every evening, Gomes loaded 30 kilos of rice and chicken onto her bicycle, checked her stoves one last time, and set off on her evening round to feed over 300 street dogs she knows by name. If the order had come into force and were she in the capital, Gomes would have been held in contempt of court. The 2023 Animal Birth Control Rules attempt to tread the fine line between animal welfare and concern for people by designating feeding areas away from staircases and playgrounds, but the underlying tension never seems to disappear. According to the ABC rules, a dispute resolution mechanism must involve 'the chief veterinary officer, representatives of the police, the district Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, organisations conducting animal birth control, and the RWA.' That baby went out with the bathwater as soon as the Supreme Court's observations came in. Despite the almost instantaneous stay on the order, reports of its misuse have already begun to filter in from across India. In a country that constitutionally mandates kindness to animals, practising it is treated as a crime. Also read: Dogs were adored in medieval India. They saved cows from asuras, fought boars & tigers The origin story A pervasive notion about these debates is that these are middle-class and elite concerns, as if a love for street animals is the preserve of the affluent alone. That notion crumbles the moment you step into Maria Gomes' world. When I arrive in the evening at her two-room rented home in Miramar, she's already in motion. Gomes is diminutive and missing a few teeth, but doesn't miss a beat, shuttling between her kitchen and bedroom, dodging a menagerie of cats, chickens, and turkeys crawling around the yard. After all, she's been doing this for 12 years. The only modern conveniences I can find in Gomes' home are the spick and span deep freezers and fridges that line the walls of both rooms. Inside, the air is thick with the smell of turmeric, rice, and boiled chicken. Gomes cooks all day long for her furry friends, and undertakes two rounds: The first at 5 am, when she takes an autorickshaw around and makes 22 stops; the second at 5 pm, on her little bicycle. Thirty kilos of chicken and rice are apportioned into multiple packets. Some of the dogs, she told me, eat only chicken, some only rice, some can only eat liver and rice, while some are just plain choosy. She also packs a portion of nibbles that she can throw the way of dogs that follow along. In a different life, Gomes' skills could have easily helped run a military kitchen or a restaurant. Instead, here she is, orchestrating a daily operation reliant completely on donations from well-wishers. Gomes learnt the unspoken rules of coexistence on the streets. She was born an orphan, and from the age of six, she worked as a domestic worker. In her twenties, Gomes went on to work in a food factory for 17 years, followed by six years in a shop and later at a shelter. By 2011, however, despite having worked her entire life, Gomes found herself sleeping on Panjim's streets. It was during those three years of homelessness that her relationship with the city's dogs began. The strays would bark at her in the darkness, so she started feeding them biscuits so they wouldn't attack her. After multiple Covid-19 lockdowns, when employment became increasingly elusive, Gomes decided to take the leap and dedicate her life entirely to feeding community animals. 'I have been bitten by dogs four times,' she told me. 'That doesn't mean I hate them. They are also part of this planet. You cannot get rid of them. It is their land also.' This origin story cuts through every comfortable opinion about animal welfare. Gomes wasn't—and isn't—extending compassion from a position of middle-class stability. Instead, it emerges from the intimate knowledge of what it means to exist at society's margins, to understand abandonment not as a concept but as lived experience. Gomes loads her bike, and sets off, bidding goodbye to a couple of dogs that hang around her street. She whizzes past cars and bikes at a steady clip, expertly negotiating the potholes, while throwing pieces of chicken at the dogs that fall between her stops. Wherever Gomes goes, the dogs seem to find her, emerging from doorways and alleys. Her first stop is at a schoolyard, where the watchman sweeps up a portion of the ground, clearing space for her to feed the dogs. The second is in a clearing by the side of Panjim's main road, away from pedestrian and motor traffic. That doesn't stop the passing walkers from staring and shooing at her. This is what people miss about the complexity of Gomes' operation. What appears to casual observers as indiscriminate feeding is actually a respectful, careful system. Gomes has built an individual relationship with each dog: They all have names, preferences, and stories. At each feeding spot, Gomes ensures the food is distributed properly, so territorial disputes don't erupt. Also read: Gurugram dog attack is pet owners' fault. It's cruel to keep Siberian husky in this heat Disputes in action The largest troupe of dogs comes bounding to meet Gomes outside Kala Academy. I ask her about her feelings about the Supreme Court order, and she almost erupts. 'This is very wrong. If people complain, they [the authorities] should focus on understanding why and how something adverse happened,' she said. 'You can't make a decision based on complaints from one person.' Gomes insisted that dogs are aggressive because they have been mistreated by people, who throw hot water and stones at them and beat them with sticks. As the dogs milled about her, Gomes continued: 'At the bus stand, people pee everywhere, even when there are toilets. They spit and throw garbage anywhere. Why doesn't the government do anything about that? Because they don't have the guts to discipline people. If they pull up people, they will ignore them in the next election. We have to teach the citizens of this country how to behave with dogs, especially children who often play the fool, and their parents don't even object.' Gomes is certain that the fight against the order will continue, via people like her. 'If even one person does the right thing, that's enough. If you know your rights, you should continue doing what is correct,' she told me. Five minutes later, Gomes' rights are put to the test. At Campal Gardens, her pack includes Babu, a dog blind from birth. As Gomes tries to secure an area for Babu to eat peacefully, without being harassed by other dogs, a watchman comes screaming at her, telling her she is not allowed to feed dogs in a public park. There's only one family present with two small children in tow, and they all feel emboldened to object to her. As the parents focus on joining forces with the watchman, the child balls his hands into little fists and attempts to charge at Babu. The watchman's aggression shifts the moment he notices my camera, and that awareness immediately tempers his righteousness. He pivots, claiming this is actually a forest department park. When Gomes claps back that 'the forest is for the dogs too,' he tries a different strategy. Why won't she feed dogs deeper inside the park? When Gomes finally heads further inside, he leans toward me to whisper conspiratorially, 'She's not a good person.' And also, 'Please don't include my video.' Outside the park, another group of men approach, ready with their own objections. But Gomes has learnt how to project an authority that has nothing to do with her social location. Whatever she said to them in Konkani, they backed down without engaging further. Maybe that's the most powerful response to hostility: To simply refuse to accept its premise. Maria Gomes' defiance stems from the understanding that some battles are won through sheer doggedness. The legal and social challenges to the SC order will continue… but Maria Gomes will cycle on. Karanjeet Kaur is a journalist, and a partner at TWO Design. She tweets @Kaju_Katri. Views are personal. (Edited by Theres Sudeep)
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
‘Animals ailing at ABC centre': NGO flags serious concerns
Chandigarh: An NGO involved in animal welfare activities has raised serious concerns over the abrupt relocation of animals from the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) centre in Sector 38W to the Raipur Kalan animal birth control (ABC) centre, and the alleged misuse of government funds meant for animal welfare. Both centres come under the Chandigarh municipal corporation. SPCA Chandigarh, the only government-run veterinary shelter in the Union Territory, has come under scrutiny after its animals were hastily moved to the ABC Centre on April 29, ahead of a renovation project that is yet to begin. Nikki Latta Gill, executive director of Sehjeevi (NGO), described the move as "ill-planned and inhumane," emphasizing that the ABC centre was never designed to function as a full-time shelter. "The animals are suffering. The relocation has turned a temporary neutering facility into a prison for innocent souls," Gill said at a press conference on Wednesday. She alleged that many large dogs are forced to stay in smaller kennels and several healthy dogs are not being released. "This will inevitably lead to the development of undesirable, aggressive behaviours, which will become a menace to public safety when these animals are released back to the place from where they were picked," GIll added. The NGO also claimed that kennel blocks in Raipur Kalan have become breeding grounds for diseases, including canine distemper, tick fever and skin infections. "This also poses a public health hazard when these animals are released back to the streets," Gill added. According to the NGO, paralyzed dogs are almost left to die, with nobody to take care of them. 'Financial discrepancies' An RTI filed by Gill revealed shocking figures: out of the Rs 96 lakh annual grant for FY 2023–24, Rs 91.72 lakh was spent on salaries, while only Rs 57,565 went toward medical expenses and Rs 3.3 lakh on food — for over 150 animals. Gill presented veterinary estimates showing that actual annual costs for food and medicine should be around Rs 30.85 lakh, underscoring a massive shortfall in care. Gill has also filed an RTI demanding monthly data on admissions, releases, deaths (with causes), and missing animals; a formal enquiry into the relocation and disciplinary action against officials responsible; and digitalization of records for transparency and governance. Facility supervisor responds Supervisor of the facility, Sourav Sharma, said, "A tubewell (which supplies water to Raipur Kalan centre) is currently not functional, however water tanks are being sent twice a day by medical officer, health, because of which we are able to clean the facility." He said talks are underway about creating an open area for dogs and allocating a special area for paralysed animals. He said, "There are two doctors and 23 staff members at the facility. " For better administrative purposes he recommended that a structured channel be put in place for timely clearance of bills, so that the supplies reach the facility on time, and payment of salary for staff. MC to take stock: Kumar MC commissioner Amit Kumar said, "There is a team already working on the facility, and we will detail the team to review the situation."
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
SPCA hosts animal welfare conference in Thanjavur
Trichy: The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) held an Animal Welfare Conference in Thanjavur on Saturday, highlighting the need for responsible pet ownership and compassion towards street animals. Thanjavur collector and SPCA district chairperson B Priyanka Pankajam presided over the event. SPCA secretary M Bhsskaran delivered the welcome address, while TNEB managing director J Radhakrishnan attended as chief guest. Speaking at the conference, Radhakrishnan emphasized the responsibilities of pet and livestock owners. "More people should adopt dogs, but they must also ensure safety measures for themselves and others. Vaccination—for both owners and animals—is key to preventing diseases like rabies," he said. He commended Thanjavur's initiative to collar neutered street dogs and called for greater empathy towards stray animals. Authorities, he added, must respond promptly to public grievances related to animal nuisances. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo The conference also featured sessions by veterinarians, researchers, and activists on animal care, healthcare, and safety. Awards were presented to individuals contributing to animal welfare in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and workers involved in animal birth control efforts were honoured. Rescue demonstrations using dummies showcased techniques for handling wild and domestic animal emergencies.
