Mumbai: Responding to the deaths of 26 dogs at the Nesco Exhibition Centre in Goregaon in July, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a formal notice, instructing the centre to set up feeding spots for stray dogs within the premises. The move comes after allegations surfaced that the dogs died due to a feeding ban allegedly enforced by the centre’s staff.
The incident, which resulted in the loss of nearly 40 stray dogs residing on the exhibition grounds, triggered widespread outrage from animal welfare groups and concerned citizens. According to sources, a management employee and a security guard allegedly stopped a local animal lover from feeding the dogs, leading to their deaths. Following the public uproar, the Vanrai police registered a case against the staff members, charging them with obstructing the feeding of animals.
NGO’s spearheaded legal battle against animal cruelty
The Pure Animal Lovers (PAL) Foundation, a prominent animal rights group, spearheaded the legal battle for justice. Advocate Preeti Salaskar, representing PAL, sent a legal notice to Nesco, the BMC, and the local police after complaints emerged that the feeders were being harassed again. Despite an initial lack of response from the authorities, the BMC eventually intervened with a formal directive to the exhibition centre.
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On October 10, the BMC’s Veterinary Health Department issued a notice, citing the PAL Foundation’s complaint. The document reminded Nesco that there are no laws preventing the feeding of stray animals and highlighted citizens’ constitutional duty to treat all living beings with compassion.
BMC stresses on designated feeding spots, timings
In its directive, the BMC outlined specific guidelines for feeding the stray dogs. It mandated the creation of designated feeding spots within the Nesco campus and advised that feeding should occur during less crowded hours to maintain hygiene. “Feeding must be done in the most hygienic manner possible,” the notice stated.
Roshan Pathak, legal advisor to the PAL Foundation, stressed that providing feeding spots for animals is a legal obligation, irrespective of the property’s ownership, whether privately or government-held.
