The Uttarakhand Animal Welfare Board (UAWB) has sent a letter to Dehradun district magistrate regarding the complaints of activists and locals that the resident welfare association (RWA) of Defence Colony Dehradun is threatening to penalise those who feed the stray dogs in that area. A few days ago, the society in Defence Colony put up banners stating that they will impose a penalty on those feeding stray dogs in that area. Some locals have raised questions over the authority of the society to ban people from feeding stray dogs and have also complained about the issue to the animal welfare board. Stating that the RWA of Defence Colony can set the rules to feed stray dogs but cannot threaten people to stop feeding them, the joint director of UAWB, Dr A Joshi said that such decision potentially hinders the procedure set by the government to manage the stray dogs of a locality. He said that representatives of animal welfare organisations and community dog feeders among others are quite helpful when the stray dogs are taken for sterilisation and vaccination in animal centres under Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules 2001.
Citing the examples of High Courts of Delhi and Punjab-Haryana, Joshi said that these courts have acknowledged the importance of animal lovers who feed them and have directed authorities concerned to provide a place in an area and fix a time so that people can feed the stray animals during this period only. Besides DM, Joshi informed that he has sent the letter to Dehradun municipal commissioner, chief veterinary officer (CVO) and the office of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and has directed them to take appropriate actions in the matter as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the DM and municipal commissioner stated that they had not received the letter yet but will take action as per the procedure once they get the letter.
Saturday, 14 November 2020 | PNS | Dehradun
