Mira Bhayandar: ₹5,000 Stray Feeding Fine Faces Review

Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation's (MBMC) decision to impose a ₹5,000 fine on citizens for feeding stray animals outside designated spots has come under scrutiny.

The District Deputy Commissioner of Animal Husbandry in Thane has asked the MBMC to reconsider the order and verify its legality through its Law and Justice Department.

The controversy began when the MBMC issued a circular stating that citizens would be penalised ₹5,000 for feeding community dogs and cats outside the 20 designated feeding spots in the city.

Animal welfare activist Roshan Pathak wrote to the civic body, highlighting that the 20 feeding spots are inadequate for the large number of stray animals in the city.

The District Deputy Commissioner of Animal Husbandry has given the MBMC a seven-day deadline to submit an action taken report and verify the legal validity of the penalty.

The official has also asked the MBMC to align its stray management guidelines with statutory standards and review the legality of imposing a fine in accordance with the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, and directives of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI).

The MBMC had earlier stated that the 20 designated feeding spots were just a rollout phase and that plans were underway to expand to 40 public spots alongside private residential arrangements.

However, the district Animal Husbandry Department's notice has placed the onus on the MBMC to establish whether its penal mechanism holds any legal ground.

Pathak has called the fine illegal, stating that feeding any animal is a right and duty protected by the Constitution.

He believes that such rules will become a way to harass feeders, leading to an increase in dog bite cases and causing issues between people and animal lovers.

The MBMC's decision has sparked outrage among Mira Bhayandar residents, who feel that the fine is excessive and unfair.

The civic body's move to penalise citizens for feeding stray animals has raised questions about the effectiveness of its stray management policies.

The controversy highlights the need for a more humane and effective approach to managing stray animals in the city.

The MBMC must reconsider its decision and work towards finding a solution that balances the needs of both humans and animals.

In the meantime, the district Animal Husbandry Department's intervention has brought some relief to animal lovers and activists in the city.

The review of the fine and the MBMC's stray management guidelines is a step in the right direction, and it remains to be seen how the civic body will respond to the concerns raised.

The issue of stray animals is a complex one, and it requires a comprehensive and compassionate approach.

The MBMC must work towards creating a more animal-friendly environment in the city, where citizens can coexist with stray animals without fear of penalty or harassment.

Ultimately, the decision to impose a fine on citizens for feeding stray animals outside designated spots has sparked a necessary debate about the need for a more humane and effective approach to managing stray animals in Mira Bhayandar.