By IANS,
New Delhi: Good news for all animal lovers as the Delhi High Court Friday ordered setting up separate zones in the capital where people can go and feed stray dogs.
Justice V.K. Jain passed the order for the Animal Welfare Board while hearing the petitions of people who sought protection from their neighbours who allegedly abused and assaulted them for feeding stray dogs in their localities.
The court also directed the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and Delhi Police to cooperate for creating special zones for stray animals.
Meera Bhatia, standing counsel for Delhi Police, informed the court that the concerned police station-incharge will help the animal welfare board to find a suitable place for stray dogs in the area.
The court also directed the board to take care of the dogs and give them proper vaccination on regular basis and asked it to file a compliance report by Feb 4, the next date of hearing.
One of the petitioners, Namrata Chanda, earlier this year had sought a direction for security to her as some of her neighbours had allegedly assaulted her for feeding dogs.
She claimed that being an animal rights activist, she also regularly insured vaccination and sterilization of stray dogs as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
Jasmine Damkewala, a practising lawyer, who was also one of the victims of neighbours’ assault, also moved the court seeking protection. He said, “Many dog loving citizens have come forward to file their complaints as we face resentment from every quarter for feeding dogs. Even the NGO Frendicoes has filed a petition before the court. We don’t want people with such mentality to hamper our task.”