How a society in Gurgaon has been striking balance for years between animal welfare & safety of residents

This approach of reasonable regulations and reliance on community participation — with volunteers managing feeding, medication, and monitoring of stray dogs — is what has worked for the 1,200-home township that has around 150 stray dogs, according to the Residents Welfare Association (RWA). Most of the measures have been in place since 2020.

“We have maintained a balance between resident safety and animal welfare. We understood years back that only the ultra aggressive or habitual biters, who do not back down after our efforts, need to be sent to shelters,” says Suncity RWA chairperson Kusum Sharma. Identifying the aggressive dogs, catching them, sending them to shelters, taking care of their medical and feeding expenses is among the steps the RWA has taken to humanely tackle the stray dog issue, she explains.

On Friday, the SC modified its August 11 directive, which it termed as “harsh”, to lock up all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR. Releasing the strays after sterilisation, and vaccination, and designating feeding spots are among the highlights of the new order. It also emphasises on identifying aggressive dogs and sending them to shelters.

At Suncity, all female dogs are sterilised, and about 80% of male dogs have undergone the procedure, underlines Sharma.

While the stray dog issue has sparked off heated debates, the RWA at the township has always focused on bridging the gap between animal lovers and residents. “The feeding spots came in place in collaboration with residents and animal lovers. These spots aim to maintain hygiene while ensuring dogs are fed safely, now in accordance with the court’s recommendations,” says Sharma.

However, some residents at the township have not taken too kindly to the designated feeding spots being close to their homes – garbage was dumped at many of these spots where dog lovers kept food and water for the strays.

The RWA found a midway. “At these places, the boards have been removed, but the feeding still happens there or in nearby open fields and plots. It took time to even get here. Now everyone knows where to feed and keep the food.”

For the past three years, SRWA has funded the measures being taken for strays by opting for private veterinary vendors due to past issues with civic body contractors, as per the RWA.

There had been instances of mismanaged surgeries, missing dogs, and cases where sterilised dogs still gave birth, prompting the shift for better accountability, claims Sharma.

While the dog lover community within the township takes care of the medical and feeding expenses of the strays, paying for the sterilisation and vaccinations of the canines has not been cheap for the RWA.

It costs the body somewhere between Rs 5,000-Rs 6,000 for the sterilisation of every dog — the cost was less than half before the pandemic.

However, the steep fee and resistance from members from paying hiked costs does not deter the residents’ body. “We are planning and budgeting for sterilisation for cats too,” Sharma asserts.

The society conducts vaccination drives annually, covering anti-rabies and other essential shots, even challenges remain due to the township’s proximity to the Aravali forests. “Some dogs run into the forested areas, making it difficult to cover all in one go, but we repeat efforts to maximise coverage,” Sharma underlines.