
'Feed them at home?' That one line has dog lovers fuming and why
She points out that even in cities like Bengaluru, civic authorities have gone so far as to allocate budgets, Rs 2.88 crore in this case, for feeding strays, recognising the need for compassion alongside control.So why does feeding strays continue to be such a flashpoint?'Because for someone who's not familiar with dog behaviour, it's easy to be swayed by fear,' Reddy says. 'One attack video can override the dozens of peaceful interactions that go unnoticed.'She adds that the media and civic authorities both have a role in spreading awareness about what to do, what not to do, and why sterilisation is key. 'This isn't just an animal issue. It's a civic issue. NGOs are willing to help, but they need consistent support. The load can't be carried by animal lovers alone.'A remark, a ripple effectMeet Ashar, legal advisor and director of Cruelty Response at PETA India, stresses that the Supreme Court's recent 'feed them at home' statement wasn't part of any binding judgment. 'It was an oral remark, not a direction, not an order,' he clarifies.He worries, however, about the unintended impact. 'Even an offhand comment can embolden those who are already hostile towards animals. It gives them a sense of validation, 'See, even the Supreme Court said it.' That's dangerous.'But Ashar is also hopeful. 'The same Supreme Court has, on record, protected the rights of feeders. In 2022, it stayed a Bombay High Court order that penalised public feeding, clearly stating that adoption doesn't mean strays must be taken home. Feeding them in designated spots is the settled position.'He points to amendments made in the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, which inserted Rule 20, officially recognising the role of feeders in helping sterilise and vaccinate dogs. 'Feeding helps humanise the dogs. Only when they're friendly can they be safely caught, neutered, and vaccinated. That's how we control population and keep rabies in check.'Beyond dog vs humanAt the heart of the issue lies a deeper question: Are we framing the debate fairly?After speaking to numerous people who have a fear of dogs, their anxiety often stems from just one thing: they may bite us, harm us, or even maul us.Every time there's a video of a dog mauling a man or child, or worse, killing someone, the debate reignites: Do these strays even deserve a place in society?And to be honest, their concerns are, to some extent, valid.But what we often forget to ask is whether the behaviour was a repercussion—was it triggered by something the victim did, or perhaps rooted in past trauma? Because, believe it or not, animals have their fair share of trauma too.'Every time there's an attack, we speak about dangerous dogs. But we rarely talk about how dogs are treated, abused, run over, left to starve,' Reddy points out. 'There's a double standard there.'advertisementAshar echoes that sentiment. 'Imagine going hungry, being kicked, and then being expected to stay friendly. No living being reacts well to mistreatment.'Both of them agree that solving this issue requires collective effort. Not just dog lovers. Not just haters. But civic bodies, RWAs, NGOs, the media, and most importantly, the public.What next?On July 23, when the matter is taken up again in court, the petitioner's lawyer will have the opportunity to present the other side of the story. A chance to shift the conversation from "Who's feeding whom?" to "How can we manage this humanely and effectively?"Because at the end of the day, this isn't about dogs vs humans. It's about coexistence, and the kind of society we want to build.- EndsTrending Reel

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Indian Express
22 minutes ago
- Indian Express
10-month-old, who lost her parents in Mandi disaster, declared ‘child of the state'
A 10-month-old child, who lost her parents in the flash floods triggered by the cloudburst in Mandi district, has been enrolled as a 'child of the state' under the Chief Minister Sukh-Aashray Yojana of the Himachal Pradesh government, a senior official Saturday said. The infant, Neetika, was orphaned after a cloudburst struck Talwara gram panchayat in Chachyot Tehsil in the night of June 30. Her father Ramesh Kumar (31) died, while her mother Radha Devi (24) and grandmother Purnu Devi (59) are still missing. Ramesh had stepped out to divert the flow of water entering the house, while his wife and mother followed to help. They never returned. The infant was found crying in the house by a neighbour. Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan said that following the directions of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, children orphaned during the disaster are being ensured the benefits of the welfare schemes. Under Sukh-Aashray Yojana, Neetika will receive Rs 4,000 per month from the government. For the months of July and August, Rs 8,000 has already been sanctioned and credited to her savings bank account. This support will continue until she turns 27 years old. Earlier, following 'Shudi' rituals on the 13th day of the family's death, the relatives decided that Neetika will be raised by her aunt Kirna Devi, who already has a son and lives in Shikauri village, about 20 kilometres away from Talwara. With several people coming forward to help the infant, two bank accounts were opened in her name in the Himachal Co-operative Bank and Punjab National Bank. The money deposited in these accounts will be reserved for her education and she can access it when she turns 18, officials had earlier said, adding that the child has also been offered admission in Sainik School after Class 6. The DC, meanwhile, said that children who lost their loved ones in the natural disaster are being provided support through the welfare schemes. Under the Sukh-Aashray Yojana, these children will receive the compassionate care of the State, with the government stepping in as both 'mother and father.' Their future will be secured through education under the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana. Devgan said that five children from two families in Karsog's Sanarli gram panchayat have been enrolled under the Shiksha Yojana. Lalit Kumar of Bhutti village under the same panchayat died in the disaster, and his three children will receive Rs 1,000 each per month for their education. They include his daughters Kritika Verma (14), Anshika (10), and eight-month-old son Raghav Thakur. Similarly, Jeet Ram of Surmu village, also under the same panchayat, also lost his life in the disaster. His two sons, Paramjeet (15) and Ranjit (12), have also been enrolled in the scheme. Each eligible beneficiary has already been provided Rs 2,000 for the months of July and August. This financial support will continue until they reach 18 years of age and will be deposited in a joint bank account with their mother, the DC said. The DC said that eight such eligible cases have been identified in the Seraj region, and the process of completing the required documentation is ongoing.


News18
an hour ago
- News18
School run from centuries old Nanta Mahal in Kota crying for urgent repair work
Kota (Rajasthan) Jul 26 (PTI) Class-11 student Alfi couldn't stop sobbing as she narrated the hazardous conditions of her school being run by the state government from the 18th century Nanta Mahal in Rajasthan's Kota. Alfi's tears reflected the fear among thousands of students in this coaching hub who are forced to study under risky and hazardous conditions. As many 14 school buildings here need immediate repair work to avoid any untoward incident, while around 700 classrooms in at least 1,057 government schools in the district are in 'damaged or ruined" state, officials said. Moreover, only 26 out of 200 schools in Kota which demanded funds for maintenance have been allotted Rs 2 lakh each under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), the officials said. The worrying facts came to the fore a day after a portion of the Piplodi Government School in Rajasthan's Jhalawar district collapsed, killing seven children and injuring 27 others. The Government Senior Secondary School accommodating primary and upper primary sections with around 600 students is being run for decades from the centuries old Nanta Mahal. Following the tragedy in Jhalawar, officials from the PWD, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SMSA) and the education department on Saturday reached the school and surveyed the building. 'We study here under constant fear as any portion of the school building may fall and cause injury anytime," Alfi said. The balconies and the stone slabs covering them are very old and can cause fatal injuries, she said, expressing fear that an incident like Jhalawar can occur anytime at her school. 'Who will be responsible then? The government," she asked. Narpat Singh Hada, assistant engineer, SMSA, who reached Nanta Mahal on Saturday, said, 'The school is not technically safe at all and can face structural failure anytime." Since Nanta Mahal is presently under the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), repair and maintenance work cannot be carried out without its authorisation. However, the district education department has now directed to shift the school, the process for which is underway," Hada said. Mohammed Sharif, principal of the school, also admitted that the structure is more than 300 years old and is ruined from both outside and inside. Despite sending proposals for funds, maintenance and repair work cannot be carried out as the school management does not have any ownership paper for the structure which is under the ASI at present, Sharif said. Moreover, it is difficult to shift 600 students to another place immediately, he added. Lakhanlal Meena, executive engineer, PWD, said that in compliance with the collector's direction, a team on Saturday visited the school and will submit a report accordingly. The Government Senior Secondary School at Tirath in Bundi district is facing similar risks, posing serious threats to student safety. The school has around 460 students who study in classrooms where water leaks through the roof during the rainy season. A drain passes through the school ground, which has been covered with stone slabs having large gaps. School principal Mamta Bagdoliya said that water seeps through the walls every rainy season, but the funds sanctioned for repair work fail to meet the requirements. PTI COR ARI view comments First Published: July 26, 2025, 23:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
GVCF urges swift action on Visakhapatnam air pollution
Visakhapatnam: Days after TOI reported a 29% surge in PM10 pollution levels in Visakhapatnam since 2017, the Greater Visakhapatnam Citizens' Forum (GVCF) expressed deep concern over the worsening air quality crisis. In an official statement citing the TOI report, GVCF president Sohan Hatangadi said that the rise in pollution has made Vizag the second-worst performer among 130 cities under the national clean air programme (NCAP). "This deterioration is a direct result of administrative inaction and a shocking lack of political will. Despite an allocation of Rs 129.4 crore under NCAP, only Rs 39.6 crore has been utilised, demonstrating gross negligence. Meanwhile, unchecked industrial emissions, port dust, and construction pollution continue to choke our city. "While neighbouring cities such as Vijayawada and Rajahmundry have successfully reduced pollution by over 20%, Visakhapatnam continues to fail its citizens. Our right to clean air is being violated, and the health of our children and families is at stake. Therefore, the GVCF demands immediate action. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo We insist on the full and immediate release of all NCAP funds for targeted mitigation. We call for a revised, transparent city clean air action plan with robust citizen oversight, strict enforcement against all polluters, and the installation of real-time air quality monitors across every zone. Furthermore, we urge a special audit of the funds and the project's implementation by independent agencies. The time for excuses is over; the authorities must prioritise public health and act now. We will not remain silent," said Hatangadi.