Activist decries University of Mysore ban on feeding dogs at Kukkarahalli Lake

Mysuru: An animal rights activist has decried the University of Mysore (UoM) ban on feeding stray dogs on the premises of its Kukkarahalli Lake, in Mysuru.

Neeraja Rajesh, who wishes to be identified as a concerned citizen, has written a letter to the UoM and also government authorities, in this regard.

She has appealed for the revocation of the public notices, put up at Kukkarahalli Lake, on January 9. “These notices illegally ban the feeding of the 70 odd stray dogs that call the 150-acre lake their home. The ban amounts to a blatant violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, Animal Birth Control Rules, a host of other legislations and Supreme Court guidelines in this matter,” she said.

“Feeding stray dogs is legal. However, the university’s harassment of feeders and attempts at starving the poor animals, to drive them out of their territories, is illegal. On a visit to the UoM Registrar’s Office, on Friday (Januaray 10), we were advised to lure the dogs onto the roads, to feed them. We tried to contact the higher authorities, but in vain,” Neeraja said.

“The concerted attempt seems to be to starve the dogs, till they abandon their territories, out of desperation. This attempt to drive the dogs out, amounts to their relocation. It will instigate human-animal conflicts. Many dogs at the lake are receiving treatment for tick fever. Their treatment cannot be continued, if we cannot feed them. The vet, treating them, has opined that there is a risk of haemorrhage and organ failure, if this situation persists,” she said.

“There are plenty of six-week-old pups, within the lake premises, which would be weaned off from their mother, if they die. They would wander on to the streets, outside their territories, to find food. Animals being run over by vehicles endangers the lives of the animals themselves and the motorists and pedestrians on the roads,” Neeraja said.

The notice of the University of Mysore, on the premises of its Kukkarahalli Lake, in Mysuru.