Indian Street Dogs and their ‘rights’

* Note: Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge the images or open it in a separate internet tab/window.

The below information and documents have been gratefully provided by Mrs. Anjali Sharma, legal advisor to the Animal Welfare Board of India.

Please use them whenever you feel harassed by your local RWA or any other person who attempts to harass you for befriending street dogs,-for these animals have as much a right to inhabit the areas they were born in as we do.

Where these street dogs are born is where they belong.


There is no law that prohibits feeding of street animals, and that citizens who choose to do so are in fact performing a duty cast upon them by the Constitution of India.

Persons who are trying to interfere with their effort, or display aggression, can be held liable for having committed the offence described in the Indian Penal Code and criminal intimidation.

Moreover, that as per Indian law, street dogs cannot be beaten or driven away. They can merely be sterilized in the manner envisaged in the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 (Rules under Indian Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960), vaccinated, and then returned back to their original locations.

Attached below are some self-explanatory documents, whose print outs you can take and use and even circulate the same amongst the residents of your area :

1. The scanned copy of a circular (2 pages) issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Training, on the aspect of street animal feeding ;

Public Grievances Circular, Pg 1

Public Grievances Circular, Pg 2

2.  A scanned copy of the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001 (please specifically refer to Rule 7) ;

The Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001

3. The scanned copy of a directive issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India, constituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests ;

AWBI direction

4. Scanned copy of an M.C.D. notification, showing the approach of the M.C.D. with regard to street animals (which is based on the law of the land) ;

M.C.D. notification, showing the approach of the M.C.D. with regard to street animals

5. Scanned copy of a Times of India news report regarding a Delhi High Court direction to the police to protect persons who feed stray dogs ;

Times of India Article on feeding

6.  Scanned copy of a Hindustan Times news report regarding the view taken by the Supreme Court regarding stray dogs;

Hindustan Times news report regarding the view taken by the Supreme Court regarding stray dogs

7. Scanned copy of an order passed by the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Delhi.

Addln Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s order on Street Dogs of India

Additionally, Section 428 of the Indian Penal Code also provides for imprisonment and fine in cases involving animal cruelty.

Every citizen of India is thus hereby advised to abide by the law, and refrain from uncivilized, criminal actions such as seeking to intimidate those who choose to deal with street animals compassionately.

117 thoughts on “Indian Street Dogs and their ‘rights’”

  1. Pingback: New Page added: “Information to empower you!” « Jaagruti

    • We had a cute little jet black street dog residing in our colony from the past 3 years.He was too brilliant,loyal and very friendly with localites. But from couple of months he used to get severe injuries over his body.On 23rd october i found that one of its legs were broken and he suffered from serious head injury,though i tried taking him to the veterinary doctor and got him injected,nothing worked because he was so badly injured that he took his last breath.I It was really heart touching for us sight to see him dead.i heard from few of the residents that there was a localite behind this act.Can you please suggest me as to what action could be taken on such brutal guys in future who kill animals to death.I really miss him a lot!!

      Reply

      • Hi Dikshitha, what has happened is tragic to say the least, we understand your grief. There is legal recourse that you can take against perpetrators of such gruesome acts against innocent animals for it is illegal under the Indian Penal Code as well as under Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960. Have also sent you a mail in this regard. Please feel free to call back. Take care.

      • hello!dikshita i understand your grief.When an animal is suffering from pain or die ; [mujhe bhi bahut dukh hota hai].Especially, when an animal is being killed.The brutal guys or animal killers should be hang to death!! Bye!!

    • We are facing problem similar to Dikshita but the puppies are still alive. Our building society is against the dogs in our building premises. They have instructed the watchmen to beat them with Bamboo. These puppies are just 1.5 years old and our is the only family who feeds them. Can you please suggest me what action should be taken ?

      Reply

  2. We love them, we rescued 5 out of 10 born in our little lane in the colony.
    The other 5 had been brutally crushed by ignorant car drivers.
    We were ultimately able to save only 2 out of the 5, as the neighbours crushed 3 more!
    Now, we have a new litter from one of the two we adopted, so we have 5 more!
    They are so innocent, so trusting, such a pleasure and so loyal – In India, people’s hearts have become stone, their blood has become black, and they will rather row in the family than do something constructive.
    Dogs are so honest – Indians have become worse!
    We are now looking after out 8 :). Yes, the father of the newest litter has also come along :) and we get them regularly vaccinated and cared for.
    Nobody will be allowed to touch ours, let alone take them away – CWG or not – they shall remain!

    Reply

    • hi.. i like that u love dogs and u r absolutely right that Indian ppl are so cruel and bad. They dont have and affection and love towards stray dogs and puppies. even i am taking care of 4 puppies in my colony. earlier ppl in our colony used to show aggression on us and dogs too. But now they have realized a lot.. now those ppl including us who are helping and feeding them- true love is rising high and leading a good life with full of positiveness and those who used to fight with us and warn us to take these puppies away are living a life full of miseries. sorry to say this but this is happening in our colony.. i am happy that ppl’s perception towards street dogs are changing … now they r happily adopting them. i will spend my whole life in helping these innocent animals who are extraordinary loyal and friendly..

      Reply

  3. Congratulations ! D.Saksena….I wish people could understand animals. I am getting phone calls from people asking me to pick up the dogs saying they are a ‘problem’ for them. I tell them , you have taken their home and you have got no rights to kick them out..and then they say they will be poisoned..I wish this world would end..can’t see cruelty being meted to the animals..

    Reply

  5. i have adopted many street dogs and feed them daily.
    i put collar around them so that no one takes them.
    but recently someone took off HICCUP’S collar. next day when i went with a new collar, he wasnt there. i was later informed that the municipal took him. now i have no clue as to where to find him. i am damn attached to him and have been searching for him since then. i tried calling municipal pple, but they didnt respond. what shpuld i do??? please help me out…! i want my hiccup back…!!! he is just a 8 months old baby.. damn sweet and cute…!!!

    Reply

  6. Dear Jagruthi,
    I am a lover of animals,it has been years since I have been trying to start a trust for the same.I had registered a trust about six years ago but then I simply was not getting support from anyone.Only my wife and myself were doing things on our own.I have looked after n number of stray animals i.e. dogs,cats cattle to the extent I still have a full grown bull which I picked up as a calf with one leg completely disabled because of a car accident.I have a small plot where I have bult a small shelter for animals.I have about four dogs and I am improving the shelter to accomadate more animals.Only thing I am still financing all this from my own pocket.I am now building two seperate shelters one for the big dogs and another one for the puppies because the big ones tend to kill the small puppies.
    It is only recently I have started getting help from our local Govt.The D.C. had santcioned Rs.5 Lakhs and from what donation I got for I trust I have given Rs40,000 and we conducted a Birth Control programme with the help of the muncipality for all the stray dogs.I am staying at Manipal .Recently as I had mentioned the people who had operated the dogs came from Bangalore and they have operated about 2500 dogs.There are many more to be operated and I am looking forward to getting funds from people who care for animals.One thing I have found is that people will spend money for anything and everything but to help a poor suffering animal no one is bothered.
    I have given n no of puppies for adoption ,I have picked up so many from the streets looked after them and given them away.Right now I have five to be given away which was picked up from the roads left by some heartless students who I beleive left them because the puppies were disturbing them.
    I wish people in our country would have a heart and care for these poor animals.At least I hope that people who beleive in rebirth would imagine what would be their plight if they are reborn as a stray dog and at least that would make them donate a care for these poor animals.
    Captain’s Animal Care Trust Manipal Udupi District Karnataka

    Reply

    • Great Captain. accept my salaam. it’s their own country and they are not wanted by perhaps 90% of their fellow country-being that is humans. I took in care or rather they adopted me last year. and this natural act of mine brought out the utter ugliness which resides so deep in our fellow monied, high-profile, well-resourced people around. well! much hard work, i have managed to save the lives of my brood and i will not let anyone take them away, harm them etc. inspired them, i am also trying to set up an animal shelter. now in the hills looking for land. i am all alone in this venture, not really i have these beautiful creatures who support me all the time. keep going Cap., it’s possible, real love and passion can’t be suppressed.
      megha

      Reply

  7. hi everyone
    i love animals and have 5 dogs at my place out of which 3 are street adopted.my mom n her brother are heavily into feeding dogs every night.infact,we get all the dogs spayed and vaccinated(the ones we feed on streets).but recently i have started facing problem from residents of a society(where i was staying earlier)for feeding dogs.what they fail to understand is that during my stay there we had adopted few dogs in the society.since i couldn’t keep all of them at home,i just kept feeding them on streets and getting them regularly vaccinated.now the residents are making a huge fuss over us coming from outside and feeding the dogs,where as all that we do is just take 10minutes in the society to feed.please give in your suggestions on how to tackle the residents of the society as they come down to fight with us regularly.also i feel my n my mom’s safety is heavily in danger when we are in the premises as some of them sound very “threatening”….simrin

    Reply

  8. hi, i am a one of street dog lover from kullu district of himachal pradesh. i am an animal lover and from last one year me and one of my friend worked for the stray dogs population in the area. we did vaccination and sterlization of the dogs in the area and there adoption. till date almost 26 pups are adopted by the residents from diffrent areas of the district. whatever we did was on our own level but now we want to do it in a larger scale therefore we got registered an ngo in the area. i really want to know that what type of help we can get from the adminstrative part so that we can do it in larger extent or in a regular manner.

    regards
    sarla

    Reply

  9. In my house , a street dog, given birth to four kid , can any give me instruction, what to give them in food , and how to take care , they r sm 10 days old..

    Reply

    • Hi,

      Feed the mother dog good food while the pups are young as the pups will be happy feeding on their mom’s milk for the first moth or so.

      You can give the mother dog- warm milk 3-4 times a day (toned milk and water in 50% ratio each) mixed with brown bread or roti OR whatever else you think she likes, non veg, biscuits whatever you can afford and give her easily.

      For pups, you can buy cerelac for babies and give it to them like you would give to babies, they would need to be fed about 6 times a day (small quantities each meal) to begin with (little amounts of cerelac powder dissolved in warm water) and then as they grow up you can feed them 4 times a day (gradually increasing the quantity per meal) with mixtures of milk, cerelac and roti, whatever they like.

      Please call on 99589 80909 in case you have doubts.

      Reply

  10. hello mam.
    i just happen to see ur site ..i was trying to make my mind to adopt a street puppy instead of getting an expensive dog..i appreciate your efforts…after visiting this site i have no ifs and buts in my mind and tomorrow in the morning i m gonna adopt that stray puppy before its murderd by the municipal corporation…i m teacher and i ‘ll try my best to proffess this to my young minds my students too..

    Reply

  11. i and my family house 5 strays and have been looking after them for five years. We have raised through to old age and death, 5 strays before this also. but those looking after strays need to be accountable they dont cause a nuisance to anyone else. if need be, they should be prepared to house strays on a premises. not everyone is comfortable around dogs, particularly the elderly and small children. the consequences to being bitten or even chased by dogs are huge. it is not right to dismiss concerns of the community members when they complain about strays. those complaints should be promptly attended to by those who care about strays.

    Reply

    • Yes, pet owners and animal lovers should exercise their rights responsibly as well. Sadly in our society, being compassionate towards animals is not appreciated but rather ridiculed upon….and people who love strays are more often than not subjected to intense humiliation and pressure by the rest of the community…the ‘very community members’ you talk about also have to learn to exercise patience and respect towards stray animals and those who care for them. Equanimity of behaviour is essential for a just and kinder world for all.

      Reply

  13. i am staying in ahmedabad.i live at first floor.the ground floor person took a good mother dog.initially all was going good but when the mother gasve birth to 4 puppies i attached to them.one of them got some decease,i took it to the doctor and it survied after few days of feeding of food.now there are ony three oif them alive but as they are small they fight as small babies and make the floor of the ground floor people ugly.now some of them are daily telling me and the person living below me that stop feeding them as they are staying here.i thjing as a baby any child will make the floor dirty but we don’t hit him and catch them to any govt authority.
    now they are going to complain to the govt authority to catch the puppies with their mother.the puppies and mother atre very innocent.the mother somhow got the idea of getting catptured and stop taking food yesterday. the govt people will come tommorrow or next day to capture them.
    the mother will not caught as i thing the person living below me will save it.

    I WANT TO ASK A QUESTION THAT IS IT LEGEL TO CAPTURE THE PUPPIES WITHOUT THEIR MOTHER BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT LIVE WITHOUT THEIR MOTHER AND THAT ALL PUPPIES ARE CAPTURE AND THROWN TO SOME UNKNOWN ARE WHERE THEY WILL BE KIILED BY OTHER DOGS?

    PLEASE REPLY SO THAT I CAN GIVE THE GOVT BODY A PROPER ANSWER.PLEASE REPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE OTHERWISE I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STOP THE PEOPLE MOVING THE PUPPIES FROM HIS MOTHER.

    THANKS,
    VIVEK RAVAL

    Reply

    • It is illegal and against the Animal Birth Control Rules 2001 outlined under the Central Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 to capture young pups and/or a lactating mother for sterilization purposes and other than this, generally and legally speaking it is illegal to DISLOCATE dogs anywhere and grossly illegal and inhumane to separate mom and puppies, the only legal solution is to get them sterilizaed, (ideally, mother bitch can be sterilized 3 months after giving birth and pups at 6 months of age)…and after sterilization the dogs, mother bitch & puppies have to be released into the same area where they had been picked up from for where they are born is where they belong.

      Reply

      • mam,

        this is a miracle.the mother dog which was caught on11/03/2011 suddenly came back on 7/04/2011.it is really intelligent as it come back after traveling a long distance from where it was thrown.i don’t know how but it came back but i am now much worried about the puppies which were caught with it.before this i was thinking that at least the mother is with the puppies but now the puppies are with out their mother and i don’t know where they are.how can i know that where are these puppies.i have tried out searching them by getting some info about the area where they were thrown,but in vain.mam now the as the mother dog has come back and as i told you that it is so intelligent that when it get hungry it just shakes the door of the ground floor person with whom it is attached more.but now the people who made the efforts to catch them are stunned and i think that one of them can again complain also.the one puppy that was saved out of three is now with his mother.but i am afraid of the injured puppy which was caught and thrown with his mother.
        i will try to save in the same way to other animals but prey god that no such worst condition comes for any animal.

  14. hi i am street dog lover.my father is a dog trainer and he always keep a mongrel dog(indian stray dog) at home .one died another come to live.indian stray dog are very strong from other breed they r very loyal. please once keep indian stray dog you will never keep another dog thats my openion.

    Reply

  15. Hello,

    This is regarding the newly adopted puppy from my locality. I have adopted puppies before but old enough to leave its mother comfort.

    This been only 2-3 weeks old (I guess) as it can walk but with wobbling legs and only drink milk (not even water). Got it home as it’s mother died. Its been 2 weeks of which 1st week I have fed it with bottle.

    This email is just to gain few tips from you to raise “Mack” in best possible ways.

    I am keeping it as my personal pet so need to groom it like those pedigree one’s providing all comfort and training.

    Regards,
    Abhi Y

    Reply

    • 1. Fix him a place in ur home
      2. Fix his timings of eating and going out
      3. Early morning walk is necessary i think
      4. Assume the position of a leader with ur dog else he will and then it is hard to make him obey u
      5. Love him a lot
      6. Altho Pedigree is quite good but dont forget chapatis and bread and milk. lots of it.. (Atleast my dog loves it)

      oh and mind ur slippers. he will be after them so get him chew toys and a bone

      Reply

  16. Hello everybody.. It was 1st Jan 2011 when i noticed a cute white pup with little black markings following him.. I decided to adopt him and named him FURBALL. earlier he used to run away and create mess in my room but now he has accepted me.. Although i am a student in Rajasthan with not much funds available to me i still ensure that he is well. He is my darling and my friend. Despite fierce parental opposition and living alone in rented quarters i am proud to have FURBALL with me. He is cute, lovable and doesnt create any problems.. Runs like the wind and loves me like hell.. I appeal to all u people not to look upon stray dogs as something ewwww. Lets not forget that they are also dogs. If we love them they will love us too. I am an avid dog lover but still FURBALL has taught me a lot of things.. And thanks for posting the rules. To hell with anyone now who suggests taking him away from me… Although i never have any problem with any dog till date still i request you all to give me tips on how to keep my dog good because his behaviour is diffferent than the standard fine breed dogs.. Thank u everybody.

    Reply

  17. This is wonderful post. Really opens one’s eyes that the Govt hasn’t been ignorant of the dogs, at least on paper. I think now there should be certain laws that safeguard and facilitate animal rescue organizations for a better return to all the effort they put in. If there are, do let us know!

    Reply

  18. two people had come to my home the other day looking for a home,they said other people had asked them to move out because they had 3 dogs with them in their house and others were objecting to it. can anything be done about it?

    Reply

  20. Great site mam, Me and my mother are animal lover. I take care of all the puppys of my colony and they also stay with me. once a time 23 street dogs are with me but now a days 9 dogs are in my gardens sometimes they gone out and back at night only. I feed all them 3 times a day. In morning biscuts, afternoon bajari roti and milk, at night rice-dal khichadi and butter milk with boiled eggs. will u please guide me for better and healthy food. and important matter is that one of my dearest female puppy age 6 years named CHINI. she cant walk since last 2 years her legs suddenly cant work before 2 years and now after long time her front legs get band. i ask local vaterny but they said there is a no cure for this bone problem. she face lots of problems. well i take best care of her. for toilet and urine i put her on ground when she done then lift and back to her chair. my only wish is my CHINI can walk once again. i am from lower middle class but i can do my best for my dear puppy they are my life. and please also send a copy of all animal rites rules.
    JAGRUTI

    Reply

  21. mam last month there was a news in the mumbai mirror dat anbody illtreating any dog either it is stray or pedigreed has to to pay a fine of rs 1 crore or imprisonment of 5 rs…how far it is true..

    Reply

    • Hi Aarti, the news that came out in the paper was actually on the Draft Animal Welfare Act 2011 which is as yet not a law as it is yet to be passed by the parliament..so at the moment one can’t enforce this law or punishment. What is enforceable at the moment on animal cruelty issues is the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.

      Reply

  22. We are planning to comemmerise sept 28 as world rabies day at calicut , kerala state.Main focus is on control of rabies through vaccination and ABC programme. We planned to educate 1000 people( Responsible persons from local self govt., health inspectors, students etc.) to make rabies history.

    Indian veterinary association calicut

    Reply

  25. people should aware and should resolve to save the innocent animals from cruelity.your civic sense should be alart so that you will never indulge in selfish activity.live and let live
    they are also a part of our life.

    Reply

  26. Dogs are the sweetest and the most trustworthy animals! Whenever I see dogs I give them some food and help them some how! But indian people have become heartless they hit dogs thinking they are not a life! But I just want to give a message to the public that dogs are the most cutest thing just help them give them food even if you can’t even adopt them also. Try and love them. And the people who hit and poison dogs should be kept behind the bars. And strict action should be taken againt the brutal people who harm stray or any kind of dogs. Dogs should be loved.

    Reply

  27. @vasudha
    we are taking care of street dogs for the last 3 years(me and my mother). initially it was a female dog.. now her third generation has also arrived :). all in all we have 12 dogs(6 puppies 6 adult with 2 adult female). I love to take care of them .we havevaccinated them and till now have not sterlize them as in between we lost the whole genration of these street dogs because of parvo disease and will only sterlize them if we feel the population is out of control.

    I wanted to know some of the things::

    (1) we generally feed them with rotis,milk and break.. is it fine or milk shud be avoided(I read it somewhere)
    (2) pls educate more on the diseases to these dogs..
    (3) one common disease that is recurring in my dogs are itching disease where there are red spots all over the body and they cause lot o pain.. what is the solution or it?
    (4) difference between Pariah and Mongrel.

    Reply

  29. Hey, we got puppies back [:)], i submitted hardcopy of all the documents to IIT public health office. Their mother was caught the same day i called you, still not back, what can i do?

    Reply

  30. It is great to see all this love for animals but what I am seeing to little is sterilization action. Feeding animals is wonderful and will help them but the ultimate aim is reduce suffering long term and that can only be achieved by sterilization.

    In my mind the sequence of activities should be as follows:

    1. Feed animal to help making it stronger/healthier and make friends.
    2. Once you have its trust get the animal vaccinated.
    3. Once the vaccines have taken effect, get it sterilized
    4. Afterwards, continue to feed and love it.

    Just by feeding and no sterilization you actually make matters worse because healthy, well-fed animals produce larger litters.

    We can not wait until NGOs do the job, we have to get involved ourselves. Pay a vet, bring and pick up the dog/cat to/from the birth control centre, etc. Be pro-active! And keep up all the good work!

    Reply

  31. im maria and my mother and me feed and care for majority of the street dogs in my area on a regular basis. none of them are harmful, but just because of a few selfish citizens who call the municipality, these dogs undergo great stress n torture. they say “good these dogs will be taken away”…how to bring about this attitude change?!

    Reply

    • Remember that the Municipality can only pick dogs up for sterilizing and vaccinating them and they are legally bound to return them to the same place where they were picked up from after they are sterilized by the NGO the Municipality is working with, so know the law and dont be afraid of these society guys. Get all dogs sterilized and vaccinated by collaborating/requesting help from the animal NGO doing Dog Sterilization work nearest to your place and the Municipality vehicles can never pick up a sterilized dog (recognised by a half cut one ear) or even mothers with pups

      Reply

  32. we were feeding dogs in front of my house. Members of our society did not like this. Some brave persons attacked a sleeping dog at night and threw the dog in a pit. Next day the dog came back at my door. Members of my society gave threat that they would kill dogs one after. I shifted all the four dogs to my native place. After some time three dogs came to my society. They are looked after by us. I had to take police protection. Irate members of society attached me. I became enemy of the members of society. I spend most of my earnings for the dogs. In my society and outside I give them milk, water, biscuits.Come what may. I will do this till the last breath of my life. My hearts when I hear the cry of a dog who is beaten without any fault. Man ( human being ) is worse than animal. I hate man. I love dogs. I pray God that the suffering of dogs may come to an end early.

    Reply

    • Please let us know which city are you writing from and we will try and put you in touch with local animal activists and groups there to help you deal with these irate colony members who are breaking the law and not letting you perform which is even their fundamental duty as an Indian citizen, which is to take care of animals, nature and show compassion towards these living beings as well. Thanks

      Reply

  33. I and my mother are taking care of 3 female dogs from past 5-6 years if the food is over after lunch or dinner my mom makes sure that she prepairs roti along with eggs and feed them. from couple of months we are facing problem with a localite boy who hits the dog very badly with big stones and bricks due to which one of the dog has a broken leg who finds difficult even to walk.please suggest can i ask for help from the local police. Thanks

    Reply

    • To deal with this boy, People for Animals Delhi can put you in touch with their team members who deal with such cases +91 – 11 – 23357088, 23355883, 23719293 and teach this boy a lesson in what the laws are and how he stands to be punished for breaking them.

      Reply

  34. im also facing some problem from my street people..for dogs they want to give them to municipality..and municipality workers are coming to take them ..we are giving them money for not taking them to kill..please give me suggetion aht to do..for the dogs..i love animals so much . nirmala jain

    Reply

    • Please get these dogs sterilized by contacting the NGOs directly that work with Municipalities to sterilize and vaccinate street dogs and get them back into their areas, as that is what legally even the Municipalities are supposed to be doing under the national laws and Supreme court of India’s directions..ONCE STERILIZED AND VACCINATED (RECOGNISED BY A HALF CUT EAR), THE STERILIZED DOGS CAN NEVER BE PICKED UP BY ANY MUNICIPALITY FOR WHATEVER REASON!

      Reply

  35. We have some street dogs outside our home. We love feeding them a lot. But a brutal guy in our locality keep on stopping us from feeding them and gets aggressive whenever we feed them, throws stones on them and runs after them with a stick. After seeing us, most of the people in the locality have started feeding them, as they are very friendly but this guy stops them also and threatens to bring other people of locality along thereby saying that he will complain saying fake that these dogs bite everybody. Kindly suggest what action can be taken to stop this guy from doing so. Regards

    Reply

    • Please let us know which city are you writing from and we will put you in touch with animal activists/groups there to help you combat these unruly people and teach them the laws while warning ttem of the punishments they stand to get for flouting the law. Get these dogs sterilized and vaccinated and then no one, no municipality vehicle would be legally allowed to even touch them and you can keep feeling and taking care of them the way you are already doing.

      Reply

  36. hi in our society we have two cats which are residing in the society from the time of their birth. but now people have started troubling these poor animal. will these rights apply to cats as well. please let me know so that will put the circular on the notice board for those people who trouble them.

    Reply

    • Yes, Manasi. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act applies to all animals, so you may make a circular out of it and paste it around to make people aware of the laws as well as rights of all animals, especially street animals like dogs and cats.

      Reply

      • I take in “stray” cats and look after them as long as they want to stay. Everyone talks about the rights of stray dogs but no one mentions stray cats. I hope that though they do not have a human “owner” they do have all the rights that any pet has.

  37. Hey, Im a 16 years old student studying in Kota Rajasthan. About one and a half months ago 5 puppies took birth in my colony. Unfortunately only 4 are left now. There is an old man here who hits the puppies very hard with a thick stick and sometimes by using sharp pebbles. I swear on God, If someone would beat me that hard with that stick i would cry. I couldnt contain myself and I went to that man. He stated the reason that the puppies shit outside his home and he is trying to flee them away. I told him there were other methods available to get rid of them but a couple more people joined him n I had to withdraw. Please tell me what can I do to help those dogs. I cant see them getting brutally beaten. It hurts me. Reply as soon as possible. Thanks

    Reply

    • Hi, we do understand that sometimes when people gang up supporting the ‘wrong’, the ‘right’ voice gets suppressed. Don’t worry, quote the laws of Indian street dogs and other animal rights in front of them, along with court orders that stand, which allow people/animal lovers to feed street animals and take care of them, infact our Indian Constitutions also asks each and every Indian citizen to show compassion to all livings beings, as their fundamental duty, infact the irony is not many people do it. Since you are writing out of Kota, Rajasthan, you may contact Animal Aid in Udaipur on whom you could contact locally in Kota to deal with such senseless people whom you are having to face http://www.animalaidunlimited.com/contact-us/. Hope that helps.

      Reply

  39. Pingback: New York Times: Where the words are wicked… « Dog with the blog!

  40. Hi,I would like to know about how can we stop the dog catching vans from catching dogs where can we complaint against these vans that catch dogs because in our society we have 10 dogs to whom we feed everyday and people get jealous on us and someone has complained to municipality to catch the dogs so please help me by sending me information about how can we legally stop the van from catching the dogs

    Reply

    • MCD Dog Catching Vans can be stopped from coming and picking up dogs in your area if you get the dogs that you feed and all dogs in your colony sterilized and vaccinated yourself by contacting any of the NGOs directly, once a dog is sterilized (sterilized dogs are identified by their one ear being half-cut/notched), MCD or any agency cant pick them up and take them away anywhere.And even if MCD vans come and catch the dogs in your area, that is to take them for sterilization (surgical removal of their sex organs so that the dogs dont have babies/pups anymore) and then post surgery after 3-4 days, the MCD vans have to release the dogs they have picked up back into the same area where they caught them from, but unfortunately they sometimes dont do that and thus dogs get lost…which is tragic for the dog and people like you who feed and love these dogs. In such cases, better strategy is that you note the MCD van number that has picked up the dogs, the drivers name and check with them which NGO they are taking the dogs to for sterilization and then follow up with that NGO and supervise the dropping of these dogs post sterilization YOURSELF.

      If you want to get the dogs in your area sterilized, 9211217469 In Delhi is the number of a Private Ambulance service for animals that can help take these dogs to Sonadi Animal Hospital at a nominal cost, get them sterilized from there and release them back into your area, this private service can also help vaccinate your dogs on site. Hope this helps, else call us and we will tell you more

      Reply

  41. i used to take care one street dog,but suddenly he started bitting whoever comes near him,or the place where he always used to seat,because of which he bitten many childrens in 2 days,due to which our neighbours try to take away him from this place and leave him far away.but cant possible,so after 3 days as they not finding solution ,every one scarred so very badly some people murderd him by stones and rod…very unfortunate i cant stop this ,really filling bad,plz tell me what actions can be taken against this,so it doesn’t happen again??
    laws for street dogs???because our neighbours have 3 dogs & they are very strong so,they always show they always missuse their power against weak dogs,how i can help??

    Reply

    • Please complain about this neighbour of yours and this incident to the local Police Station (Submit a complaint-written on A4 sheet addressed to ‘The SHO, (name of your local police station)- get a photocopy of this application stamped from the Police Station and keep this copy safe with you). Which city do you live in? Please let us know and we will try to put you in touch with a local animal activist in that region to stand by you

      Reply

    • Yes, you can keep any dog as pet in your home. Just get the dog vaccinated and keep him well-fed and well-exercised. If your local municipality mandates you to have a license for pet dogs then please get one from them, else all is fine

      Reply

      • Hi,
        I am a Stray dog lover. there is a dog whom I feed everyday. Presently I stay in Bangalore. But we are moving to kolkata permanently. my family is not reday to take this stray dog along with us. is there something that I can do to ensure that the dog gets food everyday even after I leave bangalore ?

      • You may contact animal welfare groups in Bangalore like CUPA, http://www.strays.in and check if there are any animal lovers they can put you in touch with in your area, who can ensure this dog is fed. We do understand how tough it would be for you to part from this dog, its amazing what being with an animal does to people’s hearts.

  43. Me and my friend are into very basic animal welfare activities like feeding them. We feel helpless whenever a cruel incident happens, we don’t have any strict rules in Jaipur against animal cruelty. Can you suggest us where to start from as we seriously want to do something for these animals!

    Reply

    • You should stop feeling helpless, as most laws are on your and the dog’s side..we do understand how it hurts when people ridicule you/us and hurt the animals, but we have to learn to be strong, thats a test of our love and spirits for these animals that we care for/wish to care for..in Jaipur, you can try to get in touch with Ms. Timmie Kumar (timmiekumar@hotmail.com), Managing Trustee of Help in Suffering Jaipur (that does street dog sterilizations in Jaipur city) or get in touch with Claire Abrams (claire_devi@yahoo.com) of Animal Aid Udaipur for more local guidance and support.

      Reply

      • I am a student currently pursuing masters…I love animals..mostly attached to dogs and cats….I live in Silchar,Assam….the plight of the street dogs here is really sad…specially during the winter it gets worser..last winter a number of dogs were found dead on the streets due to extreme cold and also on the onsight of summer a epidemic disease spread here so it also took several dogs’ life..but here no one ..no authority neither the administration is concerned about it..there is also no such organisation as such any NGO for animals…but I want to do something,,all these should be stopped..so Sir and Madam here…I just seek your kind help and advice about how to proceed…how to make people understand and convince them for this work…everyone is so busy with their
        own life…can I contact the administration about this and if I approach them..then how?please suggest me,,,,

      • Hi Alimita,
        We suggest you take it one step at a time and begin with treating, taking care of the dogs and cats near to your place, give them jute boris to sleep on in winter nights, give them good food, just some whaeat bread soaked in half milk, half water twice a day would be good for dogs, get them vaccinated from a local vet who is empathetic to street dogs and can do this at minimal costs to you. Also, check with good vets around if they can help sterilize female dogs near your area so that there are no pups getting born. Learn some first aid as well. Take it one step at a time, this work is emotionally overwhelming and we wont like you to drain yourself putting so much pressure on yourself. Begin with areas near your home and once you are confident, then spread out. May be you can also contact Dr. Shashanka Dutta of Just be Friendly, who is based in Delhi, but also works out of Guwahati in Assam for street dogs and other animals. Hi number is +91-9818241962 and their website is http://www.trust.jbfsociety.org/contact/

  44. I am a student residing in Gujarat. in my college there is cute dog who was strayed by his owners when he was just some months old, from that day till today he stays in the college. recently some students gave a written complaint to the dean that he must be taken away from the college. He is 8 years old, and the consequences can be really bad because it is now his home.
    The poor soul has suffered a lot and I don want him to go through this again.
    There are few people who are against the decision but we don have support
    Please help!

    Reply

    • Hi, please contact Mahinder Bhai in Gujarat and see if he can intervene 09427000501. Really do not know many active groups in Gujarat or you may request Ms.Lisa Warden (lisa.warden@gmail.com) who has stayed in Ahmedabad for quite some time and runs DOGSTOP while also taking up issues pertaining to street dogs with rigour or why don’t you write a letter to the dean yourself making him aware of the street dog’s rights and that where he stays is his home and as an educational institution they should show empathy and compassion towards all living beings than just teaching students bookish knowledge

      Reply

  48. I have received a notice against having dogs in our own flat by the association, i’m from Hyderabad. What shall i do to keep him with me. Please guide, and if possible provide me with contact number of person who can help.

    Reply

  50. I am from Kolkata and have been facing problem in feeding my colony street dogs as the society people are obstructing me to do so by passing insulting comments. In spite of all harassment I have continued to feed them but I would also like to aware them about the fact that feeding street dog is not a crime and what legal actions can be taken against people who obstruct and harass animal lovers who takes of them. Kindly help me to build a firm letter to our association in respect to the laws framed by government of India for feeding and loving street dogs. Please It’s an urgent request

    Reply

    • Nandini, please read the below text and use the sample letter therein, courtesy strays.in
      If you feed stray dogs or otherwise tend to them it is likely that you face resistance from some in the residential locality to stop this activity. The 1st thing you should know is that you are within your rights as a citizen to feed these and tend of these dogs. There are multiple court judgments available on this website itself that point to that.
      To put forth your view and/or to defend yourself when under pressure to stop this lawful activity you can use this letter, just by printing it and filling in the necessary details with the person(s)/ association(s) asking you to stop tending to your dogs. https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzAMn08dit28UkZLdFV4NGxHRkk/edit?pli=1

      Reply

  51. Pingback: Do-it-Yourself Series-2: Educating your Residential Society on the scientific and lawful manner of dealing with street dogs « Jaagruti

  52. HI,

    I come from England and fortunately we do not have such a problem there. I am staying in Gujarat and I am a huge animal lover. There are three litters of strays and their mothers whom I feed twice daily with chicken or lamb that I buy from the butchers. The dogs are slowly becoming healthy to the point where they are now not eating as much as they were a week ago!

    Obviously, I am not staying and I worry about their plight a lot. I appreciate having read a lot of literature on Indian Pariah Dogs that they are hardy animals and can survive a lot but I don’t think many of the litter will be around if I should ever return.

    I have strong issues with the people of Indian and I cannot believe the cruelty and neglect with which these animals are often treated. Once I return to my home I will be looking into ways I can help the plight of these animals.

    I strongly urge those that can afford to, to sterilise their animals. All my animals at home are sterilised and I believe this is the answer to curbing the population growth and improving the health and welfare of these animals.

    Reply

  53. Pingback: Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Series-4: A Dossier of Indian Street Dog related laws and court rulings- Read, Print and Share widely | Jaagruti

  54. I stay in Bangalore and have been regularly feeding a two year old female stray dog. However now she has developed an abscess on her stomach which has burst. My spouse and I tried to get her to a vet by sedating her with tablets but she jumped out the moment we put her in our car. Nothing would induce her to get inside again. She’s not used to a leash either. We have been giving her antibiotics that the doctor prescribed, however he says sutures are necessary. We don’t know how to get her to the clinic. Can you suggest any course of action please?

    Reply

  55. Hi, I live in Chandigarh and own a Labrador. I would like to know if there are any laws in India pertaining to dog litter. Yesterday I took my dog for a walk. He littered on a road. the owner of the house who lives besides that road started creating a nuisance and called the police.
    I would like to know if there are any laws in this regard. Since the road is a government property does that person has the right to create in issue if a pet dog litters there?

    Reply

    • There are no laws with regard to littering in India, as far as we know…ignore these people, people being people will always say what they have to, wont they?, just ensure your pet dog is always on a leash and he is vaccinated.

      Reply

  56. It may be interesting for you to know that in most European countries dog owners are obliged to clean up after their dogs. So all dog owners carry little plastic bags with them. While there may not be such law in India, in the overall flight to get a better treatment for dogs I think it is important make sure your dog is as little a nuisance as possible to people who do not like dogs and are looking for reasons to be nasty. Lastly, apart from vaccinated, also get your dog sterilised.

    Reply

  57. Hi,i live in a town where people are very careless while driving nd many a times they intentiinally run over dogs is there any law under which dis pervert inhumans can be booked under and i have also heard that we can get i-cards made which gives us the right to feed any stray dogs or animals?pls guide thankyou

    Reply

    • Sir, you have a pedigree dog that is seriously ill, why are you relying on government or NGO run animal hospitals if you are not satisfied with their services, take your dog to a local private vet for his well-being.

      Reply

  59. Actually I am a non Indian residing in India ( Tamil Nadu ), and since i am a student n MCc
    i had to stay in a rented house in a corner of tamil.nadu i.e tambaram. And last year while foing to college i found a dying just born puppy, so i felt sympathetic towards the small puppy and started feeding him til he grew up a bit but then as a year went by some localites started warning us and threatening us too. We are female in the first place and an outsider in the second place. Is this the gift we get for fulfilling some humanly deeds ? i am too aggrieved about the fact that we were helpless.. We were brutally threatened twice. And while we thought of fighting for our rights, we had to step back because we had the threatener is a part of some polical party… It’s just too sad, we are scared to feed the dogs today.

    Reply

  60. you can file the FIR against them and its not a crime to feed a dog i got the same situation like you 2 years ago but i fought with them and never scared be brave you are NRI also so you have plus point some people really uneducated and heart like a stone you don’t need to be scare with anybody and file the FIR section 506 & 503 and discuss this matter with your student circle might be some students also be with you and respect you thanks for care the dogs good luck for your future you have done great job

    Reply

  61. Hi my name is Abhineet Sharma I am Residing in Chandigarh actually this is not about stray dog its about my dog Today’s evening my dog use to play in our backyard when he goes out he constantly barking then my neighour comes out with long stick and try to kill my dog he almost launch a attack on my dog but i save him after that he constantly threatns my dog that he will kill him and he workes in Police Department and I don’t know what to do I am very worried in near future he can poisned my dog i don’t know what to dog my dog is very friendly towards strangers I am in big tention please help me plz guide me through so i can save my dog………..My dog is fully vaccinated and registered with Chandigarh Municiple corporation………

    Reply

  62. Hi,

    We have two dogs , akdoo pakdoo which were brought from our village and they had been living with us for 6 years , both of them had collars . They have gone missing from yesterday. It is very unusual for them to stay from home for a whole day. It seems like they must have been picked by the Municipal van . Can you please let us know where to find them ? i hope they are safe and unhurt . By the way they were picked from ‘Basaveswarnagar/Agarhara Dasarahalli’ area in Bangalore. Greatly appreciate your help on this .

    Reply

  63. Hi Sujatha,

    Please call on the Voice of Stray Dogs, Bangalore (www.strays.in) helpline +91.9880119900 and check with them where are dogs taken to from your area by the Municipality vehicles…please do not waste any more time on this and once they give you addresses and names of places where your dogs may be taken, please go and get them back quick. Alternatively, also put A4 size print outs with your dogs photos and details (colour, collar colour etc.) and put these lost and found posters announcing a suitable reward around your area. And please don’t let your dogs out unattended, putting collars on doesnt guarantee their safety from municipality staff!

    Reply

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