RWA wrong to stop residents from feeding dogs: animal rights body

A quiet war has been raging in the high-rise residential complex for Central government employees,MS Flats,on Kasturba Gandhi Marg.

Notices in Hindi put up on every other block clearly instruct that no dogs can be fed in the premises. They also threaten action against anyone who disobeys the order,and directs security guards to ensure the resident dogs some of them sterilised are driven out of the complex.

The notice comes on the heels of a Delhi High Court direction,which recently recommended feeding of homeless dogs in designated areas of localities,saying it helps in their sterilisation and keeps a check on their population. Other court directives have also asked the police to protect residents who feed dogs in their areas.

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has now sent a notice to the residents welfare association of the housing society,calling the note unlawful. An RWA cannot issue directions… that are contrary to law of the land. You may therefore immediately withdraw the circular/s that you have issued or put up,and the unlawful directions issued to the security guards in this regard, the AWBIs notice reads. Non-compliance with the notice will lead to legal action,the notice states.

The RWA,however,maintains it cannot have dogs inside the complex. Days after the notice was sent,it refused to take down the circulars or allow feeding of dogs.

The AWBI will now visit the complex to see if sites can be designated to feed the dogs.

The issue has divided the residents of MS Flats while some residents say the dogs belong to them as they have been fed and sterilised by them,others stress they do not want the animals around.

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Last week,a woman,not a resident of the apartments,registered an FIR after she was stopped from feeding the dogs in the complex and was asked by the guards to leave.

We are all strong supporters of animal welfare. Outsiders,however,come and feed dogs here. Pieces of food are strewn everywhere. Our children are unable to play here as the dogs attack them. When we say we will take action,we mean we will inform the civic authorities that the complex is being spoiled by those feeding the dogs. Thats all we mean by the statement, Ajay Pandey,office-bearer of the RWA of MS Flats,said.

A resident who did not want to be named said the dogs bark loudly at night,dig up green spaces and have attacked people on several occasions.

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