Feeding of community dogs not banned, only regulated: Animal welfare groups

Shahin Bepari Lambe

Panaji

Animal welfare groups and feeders said that feeding of community dogs has not been banned by the Supreme Court but regulated, and that caring for community dogs must continue in a responsible and lawful manner.

“If people pressurise you to stop feeding or relocate dogs, remember Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules 2023 and Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) guidelines still prevail. The SC has only directed to regulate public street feeding; it has not banned feeding or relocation within societies. Dogs must stay in their original territory after sterilisation and vaccination,” said Executive Secretary of the District Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) North Goa, Dexter Braganza.

He said that municipalities must set up designated points. “They need to earmark safe corners in consultation with feeders, veterinary officers, Health Department and DSPCA.”

Dr Sachi Kudchadkar, a feeder, reiterated that the SC has not banned feeding and alleged that this has been misinterpreted by many individuals and media channels.

“The apex court has directed that feeding be done in designated areas only, to avoid any conflicts,” she said, adding that the only compassionate way forward is through sterilisations and vaccinations on war footing.

“For this, the SC has fixed the responsibility on local government bodies.”

The SC’s order on feeding of community dogs is a replication of the central government’s ABC Rules, which state that feeding should be done in designated areas, Secretary of Goa Animal Federation (GAF) Vijendra Gairola said.

“A procedure has been laid out by the central as well as state government on how these feeding areas are to be designated, but the underlying principle is that the feeding area must be within a dog’s territory,” said Gairola.

He added that designating a feeding spot is a time-consuming exercise that involves feeders, government officials and representatives of local residents. “It will take months or years to mark all such feeding spots as they will run into thousands in Goa itself,” he said.

Honorary secretary of Panjim Animal Welfare Society, Sweta Sardessai said that any abrupt stoppage of feeding will result in making dogs more aggressive, as they used to a particular routine.

“Maybe feed at a time when there is less stress at a spot, when there is fewer crowds. Don’t feed when kids are outside playing or when the traffic is heavy.”