Fine people feeding strays in unassigned places: MCD panel

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi's subcommittee on dogs has drafted a set of sweeping recommendations — including penalties for feeding strays in non-designated spots, the creation of a “high-risk dog holding area” in every zone, and doubling the capacity of all Animal Birth Control (ABC) shelters ~in a proposal meant to bring the civic body in line with the Supreme Court's November 7 order, officials aware of the matter said on Monday.

- Aaditya Khatwan

According to the proposal document, seen by HT, immediate fines should be imposed on anyone who feeds stray dogs in non-designated areas, violates MCD guidelines, or obstructs the work of the veterinary department and dog squads. It recommends empowering on-ground veterinary officers and sanitary inspectors to issue penalties on the spot.

The proposals were submitted by committee member Yogesh Verma, who said the document will be placed before the MCD standing committee for approval at its next meeting.

A key component of the draft is the creation of holding areas for “aggressive and rabies-suspected dogs.”