Two housing societies, in Mahim and Nerul, have adopted a bunch of strays
after the HC suggested that societies adopt them to tackle the stray dog
problem
BAPU DEEDWANIA AND NAVEETA SINGH
At least two housing societies have already given the thumbs up to
Bombay High Court’s recent suggestion that societies adopt strays to deal
with the stray dog problem.
Residents of a building in Mahim and one in Nerul have gone ahead and
adopted a bunch of strays. Navazbhai Contractor Baug in Mahim, whose
residents used to see red at the mere mention of strays, now has four strays
who are permanent residents – Scampy, Blacky, Scoopy and Badmaash. While the
BPCL Co-operative Housing Society in Nerul are proud parents to 10 orphaned
pups.
“In the 80s our society had around 40 stray dogs running about creating
a ruckus,” says 82-year-old Bacha Dubash, who helped change the Mahim
society’s opinion of strays. Over the years the dog population dwindled and
the society began to look kindly upon the creatures. Now Dubash gets all the
dogs vaccinated every year, bathes them once a month and ensures that they
behave. The residents chip in with food. “When residents go on vacation,
these dogs guard our colony. In fact, after we adopted them, the number of
robberies in our colony has gone down,” she says. Dubash is helped by
Godicia Vaidya, 35, of In Defence of Animal. IDA sterilizes strays and helps
them find suitable homes.
In Nerul, the BPCL society has been looking after 10 pups after their
mother died in a road accident. “When the pups were born I was convinced the
residents would throw out the dog and her pups,” said Sultana V Sonawane, a
resident of the society and an animal lover.
When the dog died, Sonawne’s apprehensions grew, so she asked Naina
Athle, a counsellor with IDA to help her convince the residents. With Athle’s
help Sonawane managed to convince the residents to keep the pups.
“We are very happy to have them here. The whole society has developed a
liking for them. My mother sends milk for them and the little children in
our society love playing with them,” said Angad Huzooria, 20.
The security men too contribute towards raising the pups. “We are ten of
us on two shifts. We feed these puppies regularly and take them out for a
stroll. We also keep their shed clean. It is a very nice feeling,” says
Vikas G Barve, 39, and Dutta Shinde, 30, a security man.
The society provides almost four litres of milk for the pups. “Even the
milkman donates half a litre. All this is so surprising because our society
is very touchy about cleanliness and yet they have willingly agreed to keep
these pups,” said Amlan Nayak, 22, another resident.
What’s more, the society is now distributing pamphlets on stray
adoption. “We are distributing our pamphlets at various stations and are
also forwarding them to neighbouring societies. We, along with IDA, will
ensure that those wishing to adopt strays are provided all guidance to take
care of the pups,” said Gautam Phull, 25.
(Left) Residents of Navazbhai Contractor Baug, Mahim, with Scampy, one of
the four strays they have adopted; (right) residents of BPCL Co-operative
Housing Society in Nerul with some of the 10 orphaned puppies they have
pledged to look after