DogExpress
In a landmark judgment that could end the ongoing fights between dog lovers and others in almost every neighborhood of the Capital, and could define the treatment of community dogs across the country.
On June 24, judgment uploaded on the website on Thursday, a single judge bench of Justice JR Midha has addressed many of the contentious issues.
The judgment says community dogs can be fed, and animal lovers can feed them. It can happen either in the designated areas or in the independent porches or driveways. They will have to work out with the local officials or the resident welfare associations, with the caveat that these designated areas must be within the territory of the dogs.
Apart from that, it says that the removal of sterilized and vaccinated dogs by the municipal corporation cannot happen.
It places the onus on sterilizing and vaccinating the animals on the municipal corporation, the resident welfare association, and local dog groups.
In the next point, it asks the Animal Welfare Board of India to work with resident welfare associations. It will help ensure that these are followed and other provisions of the prevention of cruelty to animals law compiled with.
At last, it asks resident welfare associations and local police to get involved in maintaining peace in the area between other residents and dog-lovers.
The judgment states that “Community dogs have the right to food, and citizens have the right to feed community dogs, but in exercising this right, caution and care should be taken to ensure it does not impinge upon the rights of others, or cause any harm, hindrance, nuisance and harassment to other individuals or members of society.
Animals have a right under law to be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect. Dogs are the ‘territorial beings’ that have the right to food.
Source: Hindustan Times
in Chandigarh, India. 
