NMC starts process to mark spots for feeding stray dogs

Staff Reporter

Post direction from the Apex Court, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has sought to put in place mechanism for streamlining feeding of stray dogs so that same do not cause trouble to citizens at large. The civic body has sought applications from agencies or animal lovers who wish to feed the stray dogs in public places. The same is necessary as Court has directed the civic body to demarcate spots in city where the stray dogs can be fed. Outside the designated spots, action can be initiated against violators.

So taking-up the cue, NMC laid out a format for the applicants seeking to put in the application to office of Animal Husbandry Service Cell, Solid Waste Management Department, 5th Floor, New Administrative Building, NMC, Civil Lines. The application should mention the spot at which the stray dogs would be fed, along with time and estimated numbers of animals.

NMC is seeking to get a perspective of how many places are being sought for feeding the stray dogs. Once the areas are mapped, the civic body can put in place mechanism and allow safe area for allowing stray dogs to be fed.

Earlier, Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court had passed severe strictures against citizens and animal lovers who are

trying to create impediments in NMC action of sterilisation for which they have to catch the stray dogs.

During the hearing, the Court put the safety of common citizens ahead of all other concerns, saying citizens lives are of paramount importance. In fact, the learned Judges even went to extent of saying that those who want to feed stray dogs should adopt them first. The NMC was given liberty to impose penalty on those found feeding stray dogs in public places.

The directives came on the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Vijay Talewar who himself was bitten by stray dog that prompted him to seek direction for birth control measures to control population of stray dogs.

Some animal lovers went in appeal to Supreme Court again the HC order wherein the same was modified. As such NMC is keen to map the places where feeding of stray dogs can be allowed. Side by side, NMC has also invited proposal from agencies to undertake sterilisation of stray dogs and fixed rate of Rs. 1600 per dog.

Similarly, the civic body is also purchasing 10 dog vans to help catch the stray dogs in city.

The estimated population of such canines have touched one lakh and cases of attacks on passers-by also increased over the years indicting rise of aggressiveness.