Mumbai News: Over 45 Stray Dogs Starving On Juhu-Versova Link Road After BMC Fails To Remove Pandals Blocking Access, Activists Alert AWBI

Mumbai: More than 45 dogs living in an open plot on Juhu-Versova link road have been left starving since three days after the plot’s entrance has been blocked by Ganpati pandals. The activist feeding the dogs, in a letter to the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), alleged that the BMC has not taken any action to ensure that food is provided to the dogs even after multiple requests.

On Wednesday, Juhu-resident Vandana Mahar, who has been feeding more than 120 animals on the Juhu Versova Link Road in Andheri (W) for the past eight years, wrote to AWBI alleging that over 45 dogs, born and brought up on an open plot next to Vrindavan Gurukul, have been left starving after pandals selling Ganpati idols have come up in front of the gate. Through the letter, she alleged inaction by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) K/West ward officials in this matter.

Mahar claimed to have been feeding these dogs for the past four years after BMC demolished the illegal slums on the said plot. However, she said that since the BMC has locked the gate of the plot, she has been entering the plot to feed the dogs by climbing over the wall, which has now been blocked by the pandals outside the plot.

Talking to The Free Press Journal, she said, “It is difficult to climb the five-feet wall along with food and water twice a day and feed the animals. However, the pandals have now blocked the only way to enter the plot and it has been three days since the dogs were last fed. If they dont open up some space for me to enter the plot, these dogs will not be able to survive for long.”

After taking legal help from the Pure Animal Lovers (PAL) Foundation, Mahar wrote a letter to AWBI and BMC’s veterinary department. On Thursday, BMC’s veterinary department wrote to the assistant municipal commissioner of K/West ward asking the latter to allow feeding of dogs according to the AWBI guidelines.

However, the activists expressed displeasure against the letter claiming that they demanded the veterinary department to provide a written permission to the Mahar to feed the dogs.

Roshan Pathak, animal rights advisor with PAL Foundation, said, “BMC officers create guidelines for animals and feeders, but they should also make sure their own department is aware of these guidelines. Animal birth control regulations and BMC guidelines provide that every citizen has the fundamental right to feed an animal, regardless of whether the location is owned by the public or the government. We will have to pursue this matter legally if the BMC does not act in the welfare of animals.”