A Kurla resident has served a legal notice to his society’s managing committee after a community dog was harassed by a local couple. The legal notice highlighted that the provisions made for welfare of community animals still lack to be implemented on ground.
Bruno, a nine-months-old loving community dog who resides in the vicinity of Shelter Apartments co-op housing society located in Kurla (W), went viral on social media as his video of playing with a ragpicker was watched by more than 2 lakh people. However, the dog was allegedly harassed by a local couple who tried to kick the dog out of the society.
Following the instance, Ashonal Pereira (36), a pet lover residing in the society and looks after Bruno and other community dogs in the locality, served a legal notice to the society raising issue of the lack of provisions made for the welfare of community animals within the society premises.
Pereira alleged that the couple reached out to the Vinoba Bhave Nagar police, which later visited his residence and directed the family to shift Bruno out of the society or cage him all day long. The legal notice highlighted the lack of implementation of the provisions made by the Maharashtra High Court and Supreme Court regarding the welfare of community animals within the society premises.
Through the legal notice issued through advocate Prageeyaa Khanna, Pereira urged the society to furnish information about the society’s resolutions and bye-laws stating that stray animals are disallowed from taking shelter, taking a walk, being fed or looked after or choosing to rest in the torrid heat inside the building compound. The notice demanded details on the committee formed by the society for the welfare of community animals as per Supreme Court and High Court’s orders.
“Its high time that people need to be aware about the laws and judgements passed by the courts. They need to be educated that they cannot relocate these community animals, about the feeding provisions and the mandate to form a pet welfare committee in residential societies. Pets also have the right to live and choose their place of living. We need to sensitise educated people about this issue,” said Pereira.
