As the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) continues to grapple with the aftermath of several dog starvation deaths in Goregaon, animal lovers are urging the civic body to designate dog feeding zones at the Nesco ground in the east.

Background

The Nesco ground, a popular spot for dog owners to socialize and exercise their pets, has been plagued by controversy after several dogs died of starvation due to denied access to feeders. The incident prompted an FIR to be filed by the Vanrai police station, but the issue remains unresolved.

• Two regular feeders were denied entry into the area by local guards, prompting the FIR.
• The Vanrai police station had lodged an FIR in this matter.
• The issue of having feeding zones within the Nesco ground is still pending.

Activist Response

Animal activists of the Pure Animal Lovers (PAL) Foundation have been advocating for the establishment of dog feeding zones within the Nesco ground.

1. Roshan Pathak, activist and legal advisor of PAL, stated: “It has been over eight months since an FIR was filed with regards to the death of 26 dogs at this ground as the feeders were denied access by some guards.”
2. “In October last year, after we had reminded the civic body to allot feeding zones on this ground in Goregaon, the BMC had issued a notice for the meeting and a deliberation for the feeding zones. However, the matters kept delaying for some reason or another, and till date there is no final order for earmarking the dog feeding zones.”
3. “There should not be any further delay, because it is very important to feed the surviving local community dogs.”

Expert Opinion

Animal activist and former AWO with the high court-appointed committee to monitor animal welfare laws in the state, Dr Nandini Kulkarni, shared her views on the matter.

“It is absolutely legal to feed local community animals.