‘HC ruling will ensure dog lovers are not harassed’

It comes at a time when crimes against animals are rising, say animal lovers, adding that it will ensure they are not ill-treated

Animal rights activists and dog lovers on Thursday welcomed the Delhi High Court ruling that stray or street dogs have the right to food and citizens have the right to feed them. Feeding stray dogs has been an issue that has polarised opinions in the city for a long time and has led to fights in neighbourhoods. Many of them are relieved after the ruling. Avinash Singh, a resident of Sector 20 in Noida, says he was attacked by his neighbour a year ago for feeding street dogs outside his house. He registered an FIR against his neighbour and is still pursuing the case. “Dogs are not a nuisance but they are man’s best friend. I was attacked by my neighbour a year ago for feeding street dog outside my house. No one has right to hurt dogs, they also have a place in the planet like other creatures,” Mr. Singh said. Similarly, Nazia Shakeel, a resident of Mayur Vihar, said that she once filed a complaint against her neighbour for killing two puppies of a street dog. “Even police tried to hush the case. I feed dogs in my society from my personal money every day and I get satisfaction. If people are not feeding dogs then they should not stop those who are feeding and loving them,” said Ms. Shakeel.