Food for Strays: Law, Compassion and Duty of Locals

Stray animals? Animals fall under two categories—wildlife and non-wildlife.

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Wild animals fall under the domain of the Forest department and are protected by the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Domestic animals fall under non-scheduled species, whose custodians are the local authorities. The Animal Welfare Board of India clearly directs local authorities to be custodians. Under the Prevention of Cruelty Act (PCA) and doctrine of Parens Patriae, if local animals stand in harm's way due to hunger or any other cause, local authorities will be held liable.

During the pandemic, a landmark decision was taken by the government in which I was instrumental. We raised the issue of animals dying due to lack of resources, which could compound the disaster by spreading germs further. Under the disaster management fund, a special grant was kept aside for feeding animals; Rs 30 lakh was sanctioned by BBMP.

What will stray dogs be fed? Chicken and rice. Dogs are primarily carnivores. Chicken parts (except the intestine), like the legs, head, neck, chicken skin, liver, gizzard, will be cooked with rice and turmeric and fed. Compared to other meat options, chicken is the cheapest, which makes it the most feasible.

Given the track record of local bodies like BBMP, do you think the animals will get chicken, or will the project be mismanaged?

BBMP, during the two pandemic lockdowns, undertook feeding of stray animals successfully. I had the money released. We ensured hygiene of the cooked food, and BBMP distributed it. So this is not the first time in India that a municipal organisation has undertaken an initiative for strays under a constitutional obligation (compassion). Animal activists will keep watch, ensuring strays are fed without any compromise in content and quality.

There is a safety concern about the rising number of stray dogs and difficulty for pedestrians and two-wheeler riders. How do we control that?