Stray dogs will turn aggressive without food: Outfit working for animals

Bhubaneswar: Amid the ongoing tussle between animal lovers and people who are against feeding stray dogs in public, an NGO, which rescues and rehabilitates sick and needy animals, has warned that the canines will show aggressive behaviour without food, which may be harmful for passers-by.

Recently, an apartment in Nandan Vihar here saw a clash between animal lovers and those who were against regular feeding of dogs. The incident resulted in police intervention. The outfit also took up the issue.

Jiban Ballav Das, secretary of the NGO, said Supreme Court made it very clear that no individual is authorised to remove dogs from any area. “They can’t stop feeding also, and take action against feeders of community dogs. Only the govt agency can decide on the stray dog issues. But it has been seen that many individuals and residential welfare societies misinterpreted it and violated the court order,” he said.

He added Supreme Court has directed implementation of animal birth control, anti-rabies vaccination, feeding spot provision and humane management of community dogs, clearly warning that if any individual takes the law into their hands, that will be contempt of court.

Manoj Nayak, secretary of a residential society, said they are not against stray dogs or their feeding. “All we want is that the stray dogs shouldn’t be fed in front of the apartment as that is leading to a menace. We are under fear for elderly people and children. It is very scary to walk out through the main entrance if there is a pack of dogs craving for food,” Nayak told TOI.

Notably, two weeks ago, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) confirmed that not a single stray dog was shifted from public institutions to any shelter as directed by the SC in Nov, with the civic body still awaiting land from the Khurda district administration for the purpose.

The BMC officials said stray dogs are found near institutions and places like bus stands, hospitals, airports, railway stations, schools, colleges, and govt and private offices. Since the SC order came, the BMC has been seeking land. The BMC said once shelters are ready, the dogs will be caught and brought there permanently.