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India Today
a day ago
- General
- India Today
'Feed them at home?' That one line has dog lovers fuming and why
A simple question - "Why don't you feed them at home?" - posed by the Supreme Court during a recent hearing has reignited an already simmering debate: Should stray dogs be fed in public spaces, or does this practice create more chaos than compassion?For dog lovers and feeders, the remark stings. While this was just an observation and not a ruling, many fear that such statements coming from the country's highest court could further deepen the existing fault lines between the animal lovers and those who perceive the strays as a isn't the problem. The system isadvertisementHarshitha Reddy, organiser of PETEX India, says the real issue is not people feeding dogs, but the systemic failure in neutering and vaccinating them. 'There's a widespread misunderstanding that feeding strays leads to their population growing. That's just not true. What's actually fuelling the increase is the lack of active spaying and neutering by civic bodies,' she says. 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 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 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 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, 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 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
New Indian Express
23-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Congress high command has the final word
After politically low-key Harshvardhan Sapkal was recently appointed the Maharashtra Congress chief, many believed his 'closeness' with the high command may have had a major role in the appointment. Now, the same Sapkal is finding it difficult to place his 'confidants' at key posts in the state Congress unit. He recently decided to remove incumbent Maha Cong social media head Vishal Muttemwar and replace with his 'person of choice'. Here, Sapkal made an error; he went through with the decision without informing the national social media head and state incharge. Therefore, the file for appointing a new social media head is stuck in the corridors of Delhi. Shinde confidant returns to real estate business Dy CM Eknath Shinde's 'Man Friday', Thane-based developer Ajay Ashar, has decided to alienate from his political patron and focus on his sprawling real estate business. Ashar apparently had a key role in lifting Shinde to the CM's seat. He was among the main 'negotiators' with the BJP top brass and even shouldered the responsibilities of the high-cost 'takeover' in Maharashtra. As reward, Ashar was appointed as vice-chairman of Maharashtra Institute for Transformation (MITRA) – a financial planning body. But after Shinde was handed the second fiddle in the new govt, Ashar was removed from the role. Thus, Ashar has once again found time for his real estate ventures. CIDCO's 55th anniversary event goes overboard Maharashtra government's City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) recently celebrated its 55th Foundation Day, highlighting the organisation's global standards in urban planning and development. As part of the bash, several CIDCO higher-ups were reportedly provided 55gm gold value coins embossed with the 55th foundation day mark. The buzz was that these heavy coins were put on the CIDCO exchequer under different heads. Unfortunately, the CIDCO, in charge of the Navi Mumbai airport, is struggling to pay the salary of its own employees. The cash-rich board is allegedly being looted by its top officers by inflating local land prices. Sudhir Suryawanshi Our correspondent in Maharashtra
