Delhi High Court Issues Directions For Feeding Of Street Dogs In Residential Colony In Delhi

A single Bench of Justice Pratibha Singh has issued the directions in a petition filed by three animal lovers, who give care to and feed the street dogs in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, against the Residents Welfare Association for creating hindrances in feeding the street dogs as also in taking care of them.

The High Court has directed the parties involved in the case, including the Animal Welfare Board of India, Petitioners, office bearers of the Residents Welfare Association to identify a spot to be used for the purpose of feeding and taking care of street dogs etc. Once the spot is decided, the dogs are to be fed only on that spot and no hindrance is to be created in doing the same.

During the hearing before the Delhi High Court, Advocate Abhik Chimni appearing for the Petitioners submitted that whenever the Petitioners try to feed the street dogs, enormous resistance is caused by the local residents and various complaints and messages, have also been exchanged between the parties.

Advocate S.K. Pandey, appearing for the Residents Welfare Association submitted that an according to a 2009 order of the Delhi High Court in the case of Citizen for the welfare and protection of Animals and Anr. v. State and Anr, a specified spot is to be identified by the parties and the street dogs are to be fed by the Petitioners in those identified sites.

The Court observed that through its order in 2009 in the case Citizen for the Welfare and protection of Animals and Anr. v. State, the court had clearly given directions to the Animal Welfare Board of India, in consultation with the Resident Welfare Associations, to identify suitable spots and sites in the colonies for the feeding of street dogs. In its order, the Court had stated that in each colony of Delhi, AWBI would identify, in consultation with Residents Welfare Association, Area SHO and the Animal Welfare Organization working in that area, the spots or sites e most suitable for the purpose of feeding dogs. The purpose of feeding dogs is to keep them confined to a particular place, so as to subject them to sterilization, vaccination and re-vaccination, as the vaccination does not last more than one year. The Animal Welfare Board was directed to identify suitable sites in the colonies, subject matter of the case, within four weeks and to cover as many more colonies as it can during that period.

The Delhi Police in the meantime was asked to ensure that no harm was caused to the volunteers of Animal Welfare Organizations feeding dogs in these localities provided that they feed them only during hours to be specified by Animal Welfare Board. The Court had added that as soon as suitable sites for feeding the 41 dogs were identified, these organizations would feed dogs only on those identified sites and at hours specified by Animal Welfare Board.

The High Court in the present case observed that even after directions were issued in the 2009 order, that there has been no consensus in identifying the suitable spot and the Residents Welfare Association has apprehensions since children and senior residents also roam around in the open area of the block, for their own recreation. The Residents of the area also have grave concerns towards the safety of the children and others who live in the area, and therefore the residents and the members of the RWA and the Petitioners have to act in harmony with each other and not in a manner which will lead to unpleasant circumstances in the colony.

The High Court has therefore asked the Animal Welfare Board of India to hold a meeting in Vasant Kunj on 8th March with the Petitioners and RWA office bearers and the residents and identify a spot, which is not used by children, senior citizens and other residents, to be used for the purpose of feeding and taking care of street dogs etc.

The Court has directed the Petitioners to feed and take care of the street dogs at that particular decided spot, and no hindrance is to be caused to the Petitioners in carrying out any activities in respect of the street dogs at the said spot. The SHO of area concerned has also been asked to be present at the meeting between the RWA, Petitioners and representatives of AWBI and ensure that peace and harmony is maintained amongst the residents of the area so that no harassment is caused to the Petitioners by RWA and vice versa