3 beat up feeder, blame him for rise in population of stray dogs

Nagpur: Probably for the first time in the city a feeder of stray dogs was beaten up by three persons from a residential locality citing that feeding was responsible for increase in population of the canines.
Non-compliance of guidelines of Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and police department is responsible for increase in threat for feeders, as per animal activists.
On a complaint filed from feeder Vikas Malwar (33), a medical representative, a non-cognizable offence was registered at Mankapur police station against Rajesh Meher, Rahul Parse and Khushal Wanjari a day ago for manhandling the complainant. The complainant and the accused are residents of Juni Basti, Zingabai Takli.
Malwar told TOI that he has been feeding 12 stray dogs of his area for the last four years. “I was feeding stray dogs in front of my house at around 11.15pm on Sunday. Mehar shouted at me and demanded me to take the stray dogs to my house and feed. He blamed me for rise in population of dogs in the area.
“Then, Parse slapped me and also kicked a pregnant dog. He also pelted stones at stray dogs that gathered for food. Wanjari also reached there and all three of them badly thrashed me. I suffered severe injuries, especially on ears. One of the three also slapped my sister-in-law,” he alleged.
Sources said Mankapur police did not take cognisance of cruelty towards stray dogs and even ignored awareness in the locality to prevent such incidents. “I will talk to all and ensure no such incidents are repeated in future,” said PI VJ Mandavdhare.
According to Malwar, none from the authorities has visited his locality to conduct a study or create awareness “even as people are pelting stones at stray dogs on a daily basis”.
Advocate Ankita Shah, also an animal activist, said, “Feeding stray animals is a lawful thing to do. As per Constitution of India’s article 51 (A) (g), it is the fundamental duty of every citizen to show compassion to all living creatures. But no action is being taken to stop harassment of feeders.”
Shah said showing kindness and feeding hungry dogs reduces suspicion and consequently reduces man-animal conflict. “It also facilitates dog capture for animal birth control (ABC) and immunization of street dogs, which also helps control the population of canines.” she said.
She lamented that people who don’t like dogs “fail to realize importance of feeders and harass, intimidates and persecute them”.
AWBI issues ID cards to feeders and colony animal caretakers. “Having ID card also validates feeding being lawful and correct. Objective behind issuing cards was to buffer against and prevent unnecessary harassment to feeders,” she said.
A few incidents of people scolding, shouting, warning feeders and destroying feeding sites have been repeated in various parts of the city.
Shah said she faced harassment from people in the area where she used to reside two years ago. “Police are not aware of provisions in various acts to protect feeders and stray dogs. Ultimately, people beat stray dogs in a bid to threaten feeders,” she said.
AWBI in letter dated March 3, 2021, to head of all municipal corporations, chief secretary and director general of police (DGP) of all states gave directives to develop feeding spots for stray dogs. NMC and police department in the city have done nothing.
In the same letter, AWBI said, “Law enforcement authority shall ensure that no harassment or hindrance is caused to the person feeding street dog at the designated feeding spot”.
TOI had reported that NMC was responsible for rise in population of stray dogs.
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AWBI directives to police on June 28, 2021
* Ensure animal feeder and people showing compassion towards animals are not harassed
* Take necessary action in cases of harassment to feeders
* Direct local police stations to coordinate with residential welfare associations, animal feeders and activists to peaceful animal-human co-existence
* Appointment of nodal officer not below rank of ACP for effective dealing with issues pertaining to cruelty to animals
* Take cognizance when animal cruelty is reported under provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960