Dos and don’ts for housing societies for pets and stray dogs

The law regarding pets in housing colonies

The moot question is whether there can be a lasting solution to the conflict between dog lovers and dog haters in a residential complex.

Residents should read the February 2015 circular regarding pet and street dogs (http://www.awbi.org/awbi-pdf/pet_dog_circular_26_2_2015.pdf) issued by the AWBI (Animal Welfare Board of India), Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India. “According to it, RWAs cannot ask for the removal or dislocation of street dogs and neither can they levy fines on the owners of pet dogs. They can only request for their sterilisation and vaccination, so that their population growth is curbed, as per the Animal Birth Control Rules 2001, drafted under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of India. Societies can also distribute awareness literature to promote compassion towards animals and to sensitise people and promote harmonious coexistence of man and animals." 

Ways to deal with dog menace in societies

The standard HSI procedures to deal with human-dog conflicts:

“1. Dog population survey (Quantitative) – A scientific method is used, to estimate the total dog population of a particular campus. The data collected will include number of male and female dogs, pups, lactating females, skin condition, body condition, etc.

2. KAP (Knowledge, aptitude and practice survey) – A certain number of residents will be interviewed at their doorsteps. The questions will pertain to understanding about dogs’ behaviour, population of pets, occurrence of dog bites, pet ownership, perceptions/ mind-set about street dogs, etc.

3. Other surveys – This will include checking the outer boundary of the residential colony to gauge entry points for the dogs and estimating the numbers of dogs trespassing from outside.

4. Planning – After collecting this data, the priorities will be set, by focusing on the following:

• What are the actual concerns?
• Is sterilisation a solution? Even if all dogs are sterilised, nuisance complaints may persist, as a dogs’ life is around 7-8 years.
• Trespass of dogs – If the campus does not have closed boundaries, the sterilised dogs inside will be replaced by unsterilised dogs from outside, over time.
• Will creating a feeding area work? – A proper feeding zone should be created and residents should only be allowed to feed the dogs at this particular area at the designated time. This will restrict the dogs’ movements and prevent the dogs from entering the houses in search of food.
• Education – If the community can be easily convinced, then, a proper education program should be implemented.”

With the law clearly stating that there is no way of getting rid of the dogs, as it would fundamentally amount to a crime, hence, the need of the hour is to build effective awareness. Even the sterilisation of all the dogs in an area, cannot completely solve stray dog menace. “We can reduce the density or birth rate but it can only be sustained, with regular interventions and efforts by residents,” 

A majority of dog bites, are caused by the pet dog population in a complex. “So, all residential colonies must have basic rules for pet keeping, including keeping the pets on a leash, compulsory vaccination and sterilisation of pet dogs, proper garbage disposal, etc.