Dog feeding issue at SNDT campus resolved, feeders to get ID cards

MUMBAI: The feeding of local dogs inside the vast Juhu campus of SNDT Women's University was recently stopped by the varsity administration for security reasons, causing a lot of concern among the feeders. The animal lovers had to then seek the intervention of Santacruz police station in order to resolve the issue and restart the regular feeding.
Activist Savita Mahajan of Animal Rescue and Care NGO, Mumbai, told TOI: "The SNDT administration had recently stopped our feeders from entering inside the campus where we have been feeding over 40 local dogs.Hence we had to call the local police to intervene in this matter since the dogs depend on us for food and water. We had a major meeting with the senior varsity staff as the animal rights laws clearly support the feeding of animals."
Activist Sanjeev Chopra added: "The Santacruz police senior PI, Rajendra Kane, had immediately sent his official to meet and discuss the matter with the university staff and us. The NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) Mumbai general secretary, Ashok Panchal, also supported us on this issue along with activist Aarti Agarwal. Our main point was that if we stop feeding the dogs, then they will not survive. Also, there have been earlier court orders supporting animal feeding at designated spots while maintaining cleanliness."
When TOI contacted the SNDT principal, R Wankhede, he said: "The dog feeding issue has been resolved for now. Our main concern is the safety of our women students, and hence have asked for feeder ID cards for the designated persons who will enter our campus to feed the dogs."
Mahajan responded: "Our dog feeders always carry identity cards with them. Earlier, the university had told us that their security guards will feed the dogs. However, we did not agree to this since all the campus dogs personally know us, and come out of their hiding places after hearing our calls. Anyhow, we are thankful that this urgent issue has been resolved."